Wheezing Due to Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract

SATISFACTORY management of pulmonary embolism is complicated by the fact that diagnostic cardiopulmonary symptoms and physical findings are often almost absent, evanescent or equivocal, and the source of emboli may not be evident. In most series an ante-mortem diagnosis of pulmonary embolic disease is not made in most cases, and its true incidence is consistently underestimated.1 , 2 It is therefore of value for all physicians to be aware of any clinical signs that aid in the recognition of pulmonary thromboembolism so that they may initiate proper therapy before the onset of extensive irreversible pulmonary vascular damage or a final catastrophic episode. . . .