Pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the most common preventable deaths in the UK. Causing occlusion of the pulmonary arteries, a PE is most often the result of the formation of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which ‘breaks free’ and travels to the lungs where it alters the normal ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) relationship, resulting in hypoxia, increased dead space and intrapulmonary shunting.

Andy Parry - Senior Lecturer in critical care at the University of South Wales

Ray Higginson - Senior Lecturer in critical care at the University of South Wales