Pathophysiology of acute pulmonary embolism

Acute pulmonary embolism is a relatively frequently occurring cardiovascular disorder, with a substantial mortality rate if untreated, especially within the first hours of presentation. The two main clinical issues faced in the emergency department are haemodynamic instability and hypoxaemia. Understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to acute right ventricular failure and impaired gas exchange is pivotal in making treatment decisions regarding, for example, volume expansion and use of vasodilators.