15. Pulmonary Embolism Part 1

In this episode of Critical Care Time, co-hosts Dr. Nick Mark and Cyrus Askin delve into pulmonary embolism (PE), emphasizing its significance as a leading cause of preventable hospital deaths. They outline a two-part approach, beginning with the pathophysiology of PE, particularly focusing on the impact on the right ventricle and the "RV death spiral." The discussion covers risk stratification using scoring systems like BOVA and Simplified PESI, diagnostic challenges, and the importance of point-of-care ultrasound. They explore the causes of hypoxemia in PE, emphasizing VQ mismatch over shunt, and discuss the role of dead space. The hosts also review imaging findings, including chest X-ray signs and CT angiography, and touch on the utility of PaCO2 and end-tidal CO2 measurements.