Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis and Treatment

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition covered in depth within Zambian tertiary medical and nursing programs. This topic explores clinical presentation, risk stratification, diagnostic modalities (including Wells criteria, D-dimer, CT pulmonary angiography), and acute management with anticoagulation, thrombolysis, or embolectomy. Students learn to recognize massive versus submassive PE, manage right heart strain, and prevent recurrent venous thromboembolism. The curriculum aligns with international standards while considering resource availability in Zambian hospitals. Mastery of PE management is essential for emergency medicine, internal medicine, and surgical rotations, and is frequently examined in degree and diploma assessments. This training empowers Zambian university graduates to improve outcomes in a condition often missed due to nonspecific symptoms.