Prognostic role of biomarkers and right ventricular dysfunction in pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism is morbidity and mortality remain high. The short-term prognosis of pulmonary embolism depends on haemodynamic status and underlying disease massive pulmonary embolism, defined as pulmonary embolism that is associated with systemic hypotension which increases up to 50% in hospital mortality. However, the in-hospital mortality of patients with normal blood pressure pulmonary embolism has been reported to vary from 3 to 15%. Right ventricular dysfunction showed by echocardiography or computerized tomography and elevated cardiac enzymes have been used to determine mortality in these patients with pulmonary embolism. In this article; we reviewed the prognostic value of right ventricular dysfunction as evaluated by echocardiography or spiral computerized tomography, and the prognostic value of increased levels of cardiac markers in patients with pulmonary embolism.