Abstract
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially life-threatening condition that can be challenging to diagnose. This teaching script will help the learner to identify risk factors for pulmonary embolism, to recognize the common signs and symptoms associated with it, and to utilize a systematic approach to evaluate and diagnose PE. We emphasize the importance of determining the pre-test probability of PE in order to guide further work-up as well as the role of D-dimer testing to reduce the need for CT imaging.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
Resources
Giordano N, Jansson P, Young M, Hagan K, Kabrhel C. Epidemiology, pathophysiology, stratification, and natural history of pulmonary embolism. Tech Vasc Interv Radiol. 2017;20(3):135–40.
Agnelli G, Becattini C. Acute pulmonary embolism. N Engl J Med. 2010;363:266–74. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra0907731.
Stein P, Terrin M, Hales C, Palevsky H, Saltzman H, Thompson T, et al. Clinical, laboratory, roentgenographic, and electrographic findings in patients with acute pulmonary embolism and no preexisting cardiac or pulmonary disease. Chest. 1991;100(3):598–603.
Raja AS, Greenberg JO, Qaseem A, Denberg TD, Fitterman N, Schuur JD, et al. Evaluation of patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism: best practice advice from the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2015;163:701–11. https://doi.org/10.7326/M14-1772.
Thompson BT, Kabrhel C. Overview of acute pulmonary embolism in adults. In: Post TW, editor. Up to date [Internet]. Waltham: Up To Date; 2016. Available from: www​.uptodate.com Subscription required.
Konstantinides S. Acute pulmonary embolism. N Engl J Med. 2008;359(26):2804–13.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Giday, M., Takahashi, T. (2020). Approach to Pulmonary Embolism. In: Mookherjee, S., Beste, L.A., Klein, J.W., Wright, J. (eds) Chalk Talks in Internal Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34814-4_29
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34814-4_29
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-34813-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-34814-4
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)