BACKGROUND Selection of patients for diagnostic tests for acute pulmonary embolism requires recognition of the possibility of pulmonary embolism on the basis of the clinical characteristics. Patients in the Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis II had a broad spectrum of severity, which permits an evaluation of the subtle characteristics of mild pulmonary embolism and the ch...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of right ventricular dilation on CT pulmonary angiogram in acute pulmonary embolism and to distinguish if this feature predicts mortality independently of the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index, an established admission severity score. METHODS A retrospective study of patients admitted with pulmonary embolism confirm...

BACKGROUND A normally contracting right ventricular apex associated to a severe hypokinesia of the mid-free wall ('McConnell sign') has been considered a distinct echocardiographic pattern of acute pulmonary embolism. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical utility of the 'McConnell sign' in the bedside diagnostic work-up of patients presenting to the Emergency Department with an acute right ventr...

Acute massive pulmonary embolism is an emergency requiring immediate treatment. The right heart functional reserve is the major determinant of acute survival. Because most of the deaths resulting from the initial haemodynamic insult occur either immediately or within a few hours, the relief of pulmonary vascular obstruction must be as fast as possible. This can be achieved by thrombolytic treat...

BACKGROUND Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious clinical entity carrying significant morbidity and mortality. Clinically, it is a difficult condition to diagnose and remains under treated condition in Pakistan due to non-availability of objective tests and lack of awareness among physicians. This study was conducted to determine the chest radiographic presentation in known cases of acute PE pre...

BACKGROUND Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary embolism is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Understanding the incidence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary embolism is important for evaluating the need for screening but is also a subject of debate because of different inclusion criteria among previous studies. We determined the...

A case of pulmonary embolism in which the diagnosis was aided by transthorasic echocardiography is described. Echocardiography may be helpful in emergency presentations, as ECG changes can be neither sensitive nor specific for the diagnosis of acute massive pulmonary embolism.

Acute pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening diagnosis that can present with a multitude of nonspecific symptoms. Practitioners should maintain a high level of suspicion for acute pulmonary embolism in high-risk patients. Obtaining an appropriate diagnostic evaluation and choosing an adequate treatment method may reduce the morbidity and mortality of this devastating condition.

Achilles tendon injury is common and surgical procedures related to it are frequently performed and are safe. The incidence of acute pulmonary embolism following these procedures is extremely rare. This case illustrates an incidence of acute pulmonary embolism following Achilles tendon repair in a 35-year-old woman. We discuss the possible causes and the need for thromboprophylaxis.

BACKGROUND Randomized trials and meta-analyses have reached conflicting conclusions about the role of thrombolytic therapy for the treatment of acute pulmonary embolism. METHODS AND RESULTS We performed a meta-analysis of all randomized trials comparing thrombolytic therapy with heparin in patients with acute pulmonary embolism. Eleven trials, involving 748 patients, were included. Compared w...