Abstract
Two cases of massive pulmonary embolism, confirmed by angiographic or necropsy findings, were remarkable by the absence of arterial hypoxaemia. The various mechanisms responsible for arterial hypoxaemia in pulmonary embolism are discussed. It is suggested that in patients with massive pulmonary embolism a markedly decreased cardiac output might account for the absence of arterial hypoxaemia. In the light of these two cases the finding of a normal PaO2 does not rule out the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.
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Jardin, F., Bardet, J., Sanchez, A. et al. Massive pulmonary embolism without arterial hypoxaemia. Intensive Care Med 3, 77–80 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01683065
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01683065