Controversies in Pulmonary Embolism Imaging and Treatment of Subsegmental Thromboembolic Disease
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is classically a life-threatening diagnosis, often considered in the work-up of patients with chest pain or dyspnea. Initial mortality rates of missed, untreated PE has been quoted as high as 26%, based on a 1960 study. This disease is common, with 400,000 patients affected with nonfatal PE and another 200,000 patients in the U.S. dying each year from this disease. PE is the third most common cause of death in cardiovascular disease after myocardial infarction and stroke.