Pulmonary embolism pathophysiology
Pulmonary Embolism Microchapters |
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Pulmonary Embolism Assessment of Probability of Subsequent VTE and Risk Scores |
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Pulmonary embolism pathophysiology On the Web |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Pulmonary embolism pathophysiology |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Associate Editors-in-Chief: Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS [2]
Synonyms and keywords: PE
Pathophysiology
Pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) should be considered part of the same spectrum of pathophysiology. Most pulmonary emboli result from thromboemboli in the deep veins of the lower extremities, but can also originate in the pelvic, renal, and upper extremity veins, as well as in the right heart. Almost 40% of patients with DVT and no symptoms of pulmonary embolus have evidence of PE on ventilation perfusion scanning (which itself is not 100% sensitive). Approximately 30% of patients with pulmonary embolus have evidence of deep vein thrombosis on ultrasound (U/S) of the lower extremities