A patient with shortness of breath after total hip replacement

Clinical presentation of pulmonary embolism (PE) frequently is nonspecific, making patient evaluation and diagnosis challenging. Clinicians must be alert for signs and symptoms of PE in patients with risk factors and have a low threshold for ordering appropriate imaging and laboratory tests. Initial treatment concentrates on patient oxygenation and stabilization; further management of PE depends on the patient's hemodynamic stability and right ventricular strain. This article focuses on a minimally symptomatic patient with a history of hip fracture and total hip replacement who was found to have a saddle PE.