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Russell D. Hull, MBBS, MSc

JAMA. 2006;295:213-215.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is both a common and ubiquitous disorder which, if incorrectly diagnosed and untreated, is associated with high patient morbidity and mortality due to nonfatal and fatal recurrent venous thromboembolism. Pulmonary embolism is one of the "great masqueraders" of medicine. The presenting symptoms and signs are nonspecific; therefore, diagnostic testing is necessary to establish the presence or absence of PE. The current diagnostic pathways available for the clinician are a profound improvement compared with those available historically.

Over the past 25 years, substantive improvement in clinical trials methods and major advances in diagnostic technology have resulted in more rigorous approaches to the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and PE. Discharge data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey from 1979 to 1999 indicate sequential introduction of improved diagnostic strategies for deep vein thrombosis and PE.¹ Diagnostic approaches to deep vein thrombosis showed an initial . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Author Affiliation: University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.

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