Acute pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in the pulmonary circulation and ranges from shock or sustained hypotension to mild dyspnea. Pulmonary embolism may even be asymptomatic and diagnosed by imaging procedures performed for other purposes.

 

Depending on the estimated risk of an adverse outcome, admission to an intensive care unit and treatment with thrombolysis or catheter or surgical embolectomy may be required, but early hospital discharge or even home treatment may be considered. 

 

(Agnelli et. Al N Engl J Med 2010; 363:266-274)