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 . . .