ABSTRACT
The impact of pulmonary embolism (PE) on patient morbidity is significant. A study of 5000 autopsies reported that 55% had evidence of gross PE and that 18% of all deaths were directly attributable to PE (1). It has been estimated that PE occurs in as many as 630,000 patients annually in the United States, and the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism will have been missed in 71% (450,000) of these patients (2, 3). Those fortunate enough to survive an 11% (69, 300 deaths) first-hour mortality rate are then subjected to a 23.8% first-year mortality (150,000 deaths) (4). With an increasing population (general and aged), these numbers can only be expected to increase.
