Pulmonary embolism most often originates from deep venous thrombosis in which location?

Pulmonary embolism most often originates from deep venous thrombosis in which location?

• A. Atrial thrombus
• B. Upper extremity DVT
• C. Pelvic vein DVT
• D. Deep venous thrombosis in the legs

Answer: (D)

Pulmonary embolism most often comes from thrombi that form in the deep veins of the legs. The proximal leg deep veins—such as the femoral, popliteal, and iliac veins—are the most common source because venous stasis and hypercoagulability readily promote clot formation there. When such a clot breaks loose, it travels through the veins to the right heart and into the pulmonary arteries, causing an embolism. Clots from the upper extremities or pelvic veins can cause PE but are less common sources, and an atrial thrombus typically leads to systemic embolism (not pulmonary) unless there’s an unusual pathway like a paradoxical embolism. Thus, leg deep venous thrombosis is the most frequent origin.

Pulmonary embolism most often comes from thrombi that form in the deep veins of the legs. The proximal leg deep veins—such as the femoral, popliteal, and iliac veins—are the most common source because venous stasis and hypercoagulability readily promote clot formation there. When such a clot breaks loose, it travels through the veins to the right heart and into the pulmonary arteries, causing an embolism. Clots from the upper extremities or pelvic veins can cause PE but are less common sources, and an atrial thrombus typically leads to systemic embolism (not pulmonary) unless there’s an unusual pathway like a paradoxical embolism. Thus, leg deep venous thrombosis is the most frequent origin.