Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when there is an acute obstruction of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches. It is commonly caused by a venous thrombus that has dislodged from its site of formation and embolized to the arterial blood supply of one of the lungs. The process of clot formation and embolization is termed thromboembolism. PE results in the elevation of the pulmonary vessel resistance as a consequence of not only mechanical obstruction of the capillary by the embolism, but also due to pulmonary vasoconstriction.  When pulmonary vascular resistance occurs following an acute PE, the rapid increase in the right ventricular afterload might lead to the dilatation of the right ventricular wall and subsequent right heart failure.
Pulmonary embolism pathophysiology
Air embolism pathophysiology
Pleural effusion pathophysiology
Pulmonary edema pathophysiology
Air embolism risk factors
Air embolism causes
Pleural effusion risk factors
Air embolism differential diagnosis