lung and airway disorders
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
Prognosis for Pulmonary Embolism
The likelihood of dying from pulmonary embolism is very low, but massive pulmonary embolism can cause sudden death. Most deaths occur before the diagnosis is suspected, often within a few hours of the embolism occurring. Factors important in affecting the prognosis include The size of the embolus The size of the pulmonary arteries blocked The number of pulmonary arteries blocked The effect on the heart's ability to pump blood The person’s overall health status Factors that help determine the prognosis include indicators of how the body responds, such as the blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen level, and whether medications are required to help raise the blood pressure. Anyone with a serious heart or lung problem is at greater risk of dying due to a pulmonary embolism. A person with normal heart and lung function often survives unless the embolus blocks half or more of the pulmonary arteries. Pulmonary embolism is one of the most common causes of unexplained deaths. 