A complication commonly overlooked

Acute pulmonary embolism is one of the most underdiagnosed of the serious acute diseases that face the clinician. It is estimated to be the third most common cause of death in the United States. There is an increasing incidence of pulmonary embolism because of the growing size of the older population, greater number of extensive surgical procedures, increasing use of oral contraceptives, and prolongation of life in patients with metastatic malignancy. Pulmonary embolism is considered to be one of the most common single causes of death in the acute care general hospital. It is therefore important to appreciate that pulmonary embolism is a preventable and treatable disease.