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Previous Volume 359:2804-2813 December 25, 2008 Number 26 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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This Journal feature begins with a case vignette highlighting a common clinical problem. Evidence supporting various strategies is then presented, followed by a review of formal guidelines, when they exist. The article ends with the author's clinical recommendations.

A 62-year-old man presented with a 5-day history of progressively worsening dyspnea and orthopnea after returning from a 3-day business trip to the Far East. On physical examination, the heart rate was 102 beats per minute, and the blood pressure 110/60 mm Hg. The arterial oxygen saturation was 86% while the patient was breathing ambient air. The neck veins were distended. There . . . [Full Text of this Article]

The Clinical Problem

Strategies and Evidence

Diagnostic Approach to Suspected Pulmonary Embolism

Imaging of the Leg Veins and Pulmonary Arteries

Treatment Options

Initial Anticoagulation

Thrombolysis

Surgical and Interventional Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism

Treatment Strategies Based on Severity

            Non–High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism

            High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism

Areas of Uncertainty

Guidelines

Conclusions and Recommendations

Source Information

From the Department of Cardiology and Pulmonology, Georg August University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.

An audio version of this article is available at www.nejm.org.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Konstantinides at the Department of Cardiology and Pulmonology, Georg August University School of Medicine, D-37099 Göttingen, Germany, or at skonstan@med.uni-goettingen.de.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Moores, L. K. (2009). Medical Uncertainty: Informing Decision Making for Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism. Chest 136: 952-953 [Full Text]  
• Dellinger, R. P. (2009). Venous Thromboembolic Disease. ACCP Crit Care Med Brd Rev 20: 197-212 [Full Text]