Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism, PE, is a life-threatening condition that develops when a blood clot, caused by deep vein thrombosis (DVT), forms deep in the veins of the leg and travels to the lungs. Pulmonary embolism is diagnosed in 60 to 80 percent of people suffering from DVT and is the third most common cause of death in hospitalized individuals.
When a pulmonary embolism occurs in an individual blood pressure increases. It is thought that this increase in blood pressure can cause atrial remodeling and enlargement, which in turn can develop into atrial fibrillation. In a study published by the Journal of Thrombosis and Hemostasis it was found that there is a strong trend suggesting a link between pulmonary embolism and atrial fibrillation.
