What is the most common cause of pulmonary embolism?

What is the most common cause of pulmonary embolism?

• A. Pneumothorax
• B. Deep Vein Thrombosis
• C. Pulmonary Hypertension
• D. Atrial Fibrillation

Answer: (B)

Pulmonary embolism most often starts as a clot in the deep veins of the legs or pelvis. When a deep vein thrombosis breaks loose, the traveling clot (an embolus) moves through the veins, reaches the right side of the heart, and lodges in the pulmonary arteries, causing the blockage. This makes deep vein thrombosis the best answer. Pneumothorax involves air in the pleural space and is not an embolic event. Pulmonary hypertension is a condition of high pressure in the pulmonary arteries, not a source of emboli. Atrial fibrillation can lead to systemic emboli that travel to places like the brain, kidneys, or limbs, but they don’t usually become pulmonary emboli; the typical source for PE is venous clots from the legs or pelvis.

Pulmonary embolism most often starts as a clot in the deep veins of the legs or pelvis. When a deep vein thrombosis breaks loose, the traveling clot (an embolus) moves through the veins, reaches the right side of the heart, and lodges in the pulmonary arteries, causing the blockage. This makes deep vein thrombosis the best answer.

Pneumothorax involves air in the pleural space and is not an embolic event. Pulmonary hypertension is a condition of high pressure in the pulmonary arteries, not a source of emboli. Atrial fibrillation can lead to systemic emboli that travel to places like the brain, kidneys, or limbs, but they don’t usually become pulmonary emboli; the typical source for PE is venous clots from the legs or pelvis.