[Pulmonary embolism (author's transl)].

The most frequent causes of pulmonary embolism are emboli originating from thrombi out of veins of the lower extremities and the inferior V. cava, mainly relating to patients with malignomas. The clinical picture is dominated by insufficiency of the heart and the lungs. The ECG shows pseudo-coronary changes. Half of all cases do not result in immediate death. There is enough time for investigation, diagnostics and adequate treatment. Angiography of the pulmonary artery is of utmost importance. Good results can be achieved by fibrinolysis (urgent conservative treatment) via a catheter in the pulmonary artery.