A patient with pulmonary embolism and patent foramen ovale

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant complication of orthopedic surgery, although it is rare after arthrosocopic surgery. PE is stratified into low, intermediate or high risk, depending on the haemodynamic status of the patient and the presence of markers of right ventricular dysfunction. Both the management and the choice of the appropriate level of care [i.e., intensive care unit (ICU), coronary care unit (CCU), general ward] are dictated by the severity of symptoms and the coexisting risk factors. The hypoxaemia associated with PE is usually due to a low ratio of ventilation and perfusion and consequently it is usually easily corrected with supplemental oxygen. Case Report