Acute Pulmonary Embolism

History: 55 year old male with shortness of breath

Coronal contrast enhanced CT of the thorax (CT pulmonary angiogram) demonstrates a filling defect (yellow arrows) within the right main pulmonary artery extending into the branches of the right upper lobe and right lower lobe.

This is a case of acute pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot which travels via the heart into the arteries that supply blood to the lungs. Typically the blood clot arises from the lower extremities, what is known as a deep vein thrombosis.

Pulmonary embolism is typically an urgent or emergent condition, and if large enough can cause death (saddle embolus).

Typical treatment includes long term anticoagulation.