Episode 214: Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Episode 214: Acute Pulmonary Embolism

From Core EM - Emergency Medicine Podcast by Core EM

October 2, 2025 · Episode 214

About this episode

This episode reviews the diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of acute pulmonary embolism in the emergency department.

We review the diagnosis, risk stratification, & management of acute pulmonary embolism in the ED. Hosts: Vivian Chiu, MD Brian Gilberti, MD https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Acute_Pulmonary_Embolism.mp3 Download One Comment Tags: Pulmonary Show Notes Core Concepts and Initial Approach Definition: Obstruction of pulmonary arteries, usually from a DVT in the proximal lower extremity veins (iliac/femoral), but may be tumor, air, or fat emboli. Incidence & Mortality: 300,000–370,000 cases/year in the USA, with 60,000–100,000 deaths annually. Mantra: “Don’t anchor on the obvious. Always risk stratify and resuscitate with precision .” Risk Factors: Broad, including older age, inherited thrombophilias, malignancy, recent surgery/trauma, travel, smoking, hormonal use, and pregnancy. Clinical Presentation and Risk Stratification Presentation: Highly variable, showing up as anything from subtle shortness of breath to collapse. Acute/Subacute: Dyspnea (most common), pleuritic chest pain, cough, hemoptysis, and syncope. Patients are likely tachycardic, tachypneic, hypoxemic on room air, and may have a low-grade fever. Chronic: Can mimic acute symptoms…

People in this episode

Host: Brian Gilberti

Topics covered

  • emergency medicine
  • pulmonary embolism
  • diagnosis
  • risk stratification
  • management

Keywords

  • acute pulmonary embolism
  • ED management
  • risk factors
  • diagnostic criteria
  • treatment options

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Alteplase

Places: USA

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