Case of the Month #7 - pulmonary embolism

Published 03/02/2022

Key Take Home Messages

  • Cardiac biomarkers and echocardiography can be useful in prognosticating risk for mortality in patients with acute PE. 
  • Acute massive PE can lead to RV pressure and volume overload, RV dysfunction, and cardiogenic shock. 
  • Acute RV failure is the leading cause of death in patients with massive PE. 
  • Systemic thrombolysis is currently indicated for massive PE, but is not without significant risk of major haemorrhage.