PE

Question 1

 Pulmonary embolism refers
to an obstruction of the
pulmonary artery or one of
its branches that originated
elsewhere in the body
◼ Thrombus, tumor, air, fat

 PE are typically multiple,
with lower lobes involved in
majority of cases

Answer 1

pulmonary embolism

Question 2

◼ Signs and symptoms immediately after

obstruction occurs

Answer 2

acute PE

Question 3

◼ Presentation within days or weeks

following the initial event

Answer 3

subacute PE

Question 4

◼ PE symptoms develop slowly over many

years (CTEPH)

Answer 4

chronic PE

Question 5

locations of PE?

Answer 5

lobar
segmental
subsegmental

Question 6

where can emboli come from?

Answer 6

LE proximal veins

-iliac, femoral, popliteal

Question 7

calf vein DVT embolize to lung? T/F

Answer 7

true, resolve spontaneously

Question 8

other sources of PE?

Answer 8

right heart, IVC, upper extremity veins, pelvic and renal veins

Question 9

what is low risk PE?

Answer 9

hemodynamically stable

no RV strain

Question 10

intermediate risk PE?

Answer 10

hemodynamically stable

associated RV strain

Question 11

massive high risk PE?

Answer 11

hypotension SBP <90 mm Hg for more than 15 min, BP drop of >40 mm Hg

use vasopressors, clinical evidence of shock

Question 12

clinical presentation of PE?

Answer 12

dyspnea
chest pain
cough

Question 13

most common physical exam finding for PE?

massive?

Answer 13

hypoxemia
tachypnea

JVD
right sided 3rd heart sound
cyanosis
obstructive shock

Question 14

diagnosis modalities?

alternatives?

Answer 14

D-dimer
CTPA

bedside ECHO
LE ultrasound

Question 15

you need to think PE to diagnose PE? y/n?

Answer 15

yes

Question 16

wells criteria?

Answer 16

clinical symptoms
other diagnosis
HR>100
immobilization
previous DVT
hemoptysis
malignancy