Using noninvasive tests and thrombolytics for pulmonary embolism

Obstructed pulmonary circulation from an embolism results in dilatation of the right ventricle, which becomes hypokinetic. The subsequent decline in forward cardiac output leads to diminished left ventricular preload. Combined with the reduction in the size of the left ventricular cavity from the flattening of the septum, there is a fall in total systemic cardiac output.