Common clinical presentations of acute pulmonary embolism: A statistical review

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially life-threatening condition that presents with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Prompt recognition based on symptoms is critical for early diagnosis and management.

Objective: To determine the most statistically common presenting symptoms of acute pulmonary embolism in emergency settings based on a review of current literature.

Methods: A narrative review of observational studies and clinical registries was conducted, focusing on adult patients diagnosed with acute PE. Symptom prevalence rates were extracted and synthesized from peer-reviewed sources.

Results: The most common symptoms of PE include: Dyspnea (73–85%), Chest pain (39–64%), Cough (28–43%), Hemoptysis (8–23%), Syncope (10–18%), and vital signs such as tachycardia and tachypnea.

Conclusion: Dyspnea remains the most consistent symptom of PE, followed by chest pain and cough. Recognizing these patterns can guide early suspicion and diagnostic work-up.