It is estimated that there are approximately 200 000 pulmonary emboli (PE) in South Africa annually. Death results from acute right ventricular pressure overload and right ventricular failure. Survivors are at an increased risk of chronic pulmonary hypertension and recurrent PE.
5% of patients present with a massive PE, manifesting as systemic hypotension, cardiogenic shock, or cardiac arrest and are considered at high risk of death (mortality 65%).