Recovery of Pulmonary Arterial Blood Flow in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract

ALTHOUGH the acute hemodynamic effects of massive pulmonary embolism1 and the sequelae of chronic obstruction of major pulmonary arteries2 have been defined, little is known about the rate of restoration of pulmonary arterial blood flow in acute pulmonary embolism. Recently, Sauter and his associates3 used angiography in 2 patients to document complete resolution of emboli within twenty-five and a hundred and twenty-eight days. Fred et al.4 reported similar findings in 7 patients. Technical complexity and the possible hazards of pulmonary arteriography have prevented its widespread application in serial studies of patients with pulmonary embolism. A clearer understanding of the natural . . .