[Pulmonary embolism: a difficult diagnostic problem].

Introduction: The mortality of untreated pulmonary embolism (PE) is estimated at approximately 30% of patients, whereas treatment decreases it to 2-8%. A specific combination of symptoms present in PE may suggest other cardiac or lung disorder.

Objectives: To evaluate frequencies of clinical symptoms and changes in diagnostic investigations misleading to the recognition of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or lung diseases (Ld) in PE patients.