The difference between pulmonary embolism and pulmonary edema

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on June 04, 2025
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The difference between pulmonary embolism and pulmonary edema lies in their mechanisms of onset, clinical manifestations, and treatments; they are completely different diseases. Pulmonary embolism primarily occurs when thrombi from the inferior vena cava or superior vena cava, or other emboli, travel with the bloodstream to the right heart and then block the pulmonary artery. The symptoms mainly include coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and coughing up blood. On the other hand, pulmonary edema is mostly due to left heart dysfunction, caused by coronary artery disease or acute heart failure, leading to the inability of the pulmonary blood to return to the left heart. This results in an excessive retention of blood in the lungs, causing edema in the alveoli and interstitial space of the lungs. The symptoms are primarily characterized by difficulty breathing, coughing, and pink frothy sputum. The treatments for the two are also entirely different: pulmonary embolism is primarily treated with thrombolysis, while pulmonary edema is mainly treated by correcting heart function. Thus, it is crucial to differentiate between these two diseases.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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What are the precursors of pulmonary embolism?

Pulmonary embolism is also relatively common in clinical practice. Its precursors may include varying degrees of respiratory difficulty, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, among others. If such symptoms occur, medical attention should be sought promptly, primarily to rule out the possibility of acute myocardial infarction. Pulmonary artery CTA can further confirm whether there is a pulmonary embolism. In cases of extensive pulmonary embolism, there is a high risk of sudden death, and aggressive thrombolytic and anticoagulation treatments should be administered. If the patient's chest tightness and shortness of breath are relieved after the aforementioned treatments, hospitalization for observation and treatment is still necessary.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Is it good to place a filter for pulmonary embolism or not?

Whether it is good or not to place a filter for pulmonary embolism mainly depends on the cause of the pulmonary embolism and whether there are indications for placing a filter. Generally speaking, if pulmonary embolism is caused by the formation of blood clots in the lower limbs or the inferior vena cava, placing a filter can generally be beneficial. However, not all cases of lower limb venous thrombosis require a filter. Filters are usually only used for deep or large vein thromboses that are not suitable for thrombectomy or thrombolysis treatments. If a filter is placed under other conditions, it is very likely that thrombosis will re-form on the surface of the filter, potentially leading to some recurrent pulmonary embolisms or iatrogenic pulmonary embolisms. Therefore, the decision to place a filter is complex and requires a doctor to weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether or not to proceed.

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Written by Chen Tian Hua
Cardiology
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What are the early symptoms of pulmonary embolism?

The early symptoms of pulmonary embolism are clinically diverse and often non-specific. Mild cases may not present any symptoms at all. Common symptoms include the following: 1. Unexplained difficulty in breathing; 2. Pain in the precordial region; 3. Some patients initially present with fainting as the first clinical symptom; 4. Some patients may also experience irritability, fear, or a near-death feeling; 5. Early symptoms can also include coughing, coughing up blood, and palpitations. Pulmonary embolism is a critical condition in clinical settings. Once it occurs, it is essential to go to the hospital promptly for an accurate diagnosis and to receive effective treatment to avoid severe clinical consequences.

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Written by Li Qiang
Intensive Care Unit
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Why does pulmonary embolism cause cardiac arrest?

The mechanisms causing cardiac arrest due to acute pulmonary embolism mainly encompass several aspects. One is a large-scale acute extensive pulmonary embolism, which prevents the blood from being ejected from the right heart, potentially leading to acute right heart failure. At this time, the entire body's blood circulation will encounter issues. Another scenario is that following the pulmonary embolism, it causes severe hypoxia. This hypoxia can lead to oxygen deficiency in all organs of the body, including the heart. The coronary arteries that supply nutrients to the heart can also become ischemic. Both of these factors can cause the heartbeat to lead to sudden cardiac arrest. These are the primary mechanisms that can cause a sudden stop in the heartbeat.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Is there a lot of phlegm in pulmonary embolism?

Pulmonary embolism is a relatively common acute disease in clinical practice. It usually occurs when blood clots from the veins in the legs or pelvis detach, travel through the bloodstream to the pulmonary arteries, and cause an embolism. The onset of this disease is often very sudden. Due to different triggers, the clinical symptoms vary. Typical symptoms of pulmonary embolism include difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing up blood, and coughing. Coughs are often dry, and patients may also have a small amount of white sputum. Some patients might even experience wheezing and other clinical symptoms. Therefore, the occurrence of excessive sputum is rare in patients with pulmonary embolism.