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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Pulmonary embolism is a condition that occurs when one or more arteries in your lungs become blocked. In most cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by blood clots that travel to your lungs from another part of your body — most commonly, your legs.
Pulmonary embolism can occur in otherwise healthy people. Signs and symptoms can vary from person to person, but commonly include sudden and unexplained shortness of breath, chest pain and a cough that may bring up blood-tinged sputum.
Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening, but prompt treatment with anti-clotting medications can greatly reduce the risk of death. Taking measures to prevent blood clots in your legs also can help protect you against pulmonary embolism.
- Pulmonary embolism. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/pe/pe_what.html. Accessed June 26, 2009.
- Thompson BT, et al. Overview of acute pulmonary embolism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 26, 2009.
- Kline JA, et al. Pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practices. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/146574529-3/0/1365/250.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02845-4..50092-5--cesec18_4265. Accessed June 29, 2009.
- Bauer KA, et al. Overview of causes of venous thrombosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 26, 2009.
- Deep vein thrombosis. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00219. Accessed June 29, 2009.
- Tapson VF. Pulmonary embolism. In: Goldman L. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/146574529-5/0/1492/393.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50104-X--cesec7_4150. Accessed June 29, 2009.
- Pulmonary hypertension. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/pah/pah_what.html. Accessed June 29, 2009.
- Ferri FF. Pulmonary embolism. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/146779547-3/0/1701/492.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50019-7--subchapter69_10424. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- General nuclear medicine. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=gennuclear. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Catheter angiography. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=Angiocath. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Lip GY, et al. Patient information: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Deep vein thrombosis. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Dvt/DVT_All.html. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Rosenow EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 5, 2009.
