Pulmonary embolism causes
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Resident Survival Guide |
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Pulmonary Embolism Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Pulmonary Embolism Assessment of Probability of Subsequent VTE and Risk Scores |
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Treatment |
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Follow-Up |
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Special Scenario |
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Trials |
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Case Studies |
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Pulmonary embolism causes On the Web |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Pulmonary embolism causes |
Editor(s)-In-Chief: The APEX Trial Investigators, C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2] Ogheneochuko Ajari, MB.BS, MS [3]
Overview
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the acute obstruction of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches by a thrombus, air, tumor, or fat. Most often, PE is due to a venous thrombus which has been dislodged from its site of formation in the deep veins of the lower extremities, a process referred to as venous thromboembolism.
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated. Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition and must be treated as such irrespective of the underlying cause.
Common Causes
- The most common cause of PE is a venous thrombus which has been dislodged from its site of formation in the deep veins of the lower extremities.
- Non-thrombotic causes of PE are: