INFO/WWW-LINKS: The simultaneous ventilation and perfusion radionuclide scanning is the most widely practised investigation for diagnosing a pulmonary embolus. The aim of this investigation is to reveal areas of ventilation-perfusion mismatch. Another method to detect blockage of the pulmonary artery or its branches is the pulmonary angiogram/angiography and especially CT.

D: Massive pulmonary embolism caused by venous thrombi - from deep venous thrombosis (dvt) - pass into the pulmonary circulation and block blood flow to the lung inside the pulmonary trunk