Suspicion of pulmonary embolism

Abstract

Acute pulmonary embolism carries a high mortality. The role of echocardiography is to provide a rapid and accurate diagnosis: successful imaging of the mass in the pulmonary arterial tree has been extensively described. Echocardiography also reveals the source of the embolism if it is contained within the right side of the heart. Direct sources of embolism include thrombus, tumors, and valve vegetations in endocarditis. The localization may be difficult, and standard views of the right ventricle and pulmonary artery must be examined with care. Supportive features of pulmonary embolism are those of right ventricular overload and failure: right ventricular dilation, tricuspid valve regurgitation, and paradoxical septal motion.