title: Pulmonary embolism.
abstract: Pulmonary thromboembolism is perhaps one of the most challenging diseases to recognize, diagnose, and treat appropriately in medicine today. Although the clinician is offered a variety of diagnostic modalities, a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic modality without significant risk does not yet exist. The newer noninvasive tests may offer valuable alternatives to the more invasive venogram and pulmonary angiogram. Figure 1 offers an algorithm for the diagnosis and management of thromboembolic disease. Failure to diagnose this entity can result in significant patient morbidity and mortality. Physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion as well as have an organized approach to diagnosis and management to improve survival of patients with thromboembolic disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Dunmire
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology