Pulmonary embolism: Difference between revisions

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'''Pulmonary embolism''' (PE) is a form of [[venous thromboembolism]] and is a serious complication of [[deep vein thrombosis]] which can lead to death in 30 – 60% of cases, and is more common in case of proximal DVT.
<section begin="radiology" />'''Pulmonary embolism''' (PE) is a form of [[venous thromboembolism]] and is a serious complication of [[deep vein thrombosis]] which can lead to death in 30 – 60% of cases, and is more common in case of proximal DVT.


PE is classified into three different types:
PE is classified into three different types:
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[[Echocardiography]] is useful in PE, as it allows for ruling out other differential diagnoses ([[Cardiac tamponade|tamponade]], myocardial ischaemia, valvular disease, etc.), and in case of massive PE right ventricular strain may be visible.
[[Echocardiography]] is useful in PE, as it allows for ruling out other differential diagnoses ([[Cardiac tamponade|tamponade]], myocardial ischaemia, valvular disease, etc.), and in case of massive PE right ventricular strain may be visible.


Chest radiography is not used for evaluation of PE, but in 2% of cases, the Westermark sign may be present. This is only seen in large emboli and is characterised by the distal blood vessels of a lung being collapsed and therefore smaller than normal, called focal peripheral hyperlucency.
Chest radiography is not used for evaluation of PE, but in 2% of cases, the Westermark sign may be present. This is only seen in large emboli and is characterised by the distal blood vessels of a lung being collapsed and therefore smaller than normal, called focal peripheral hyperlucency.<section end="radiology" />


== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
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* Death
* Death


[[Category:Haematology]]
<noinclude>‎[[Category:Haematology]]
[[Category:Internal Medicine (POTE course)]]
[[Category:Internal Medicine (POTE course)]]</noinclude>