Pulmonary embolism is a condition where one or more blood clots travel from elsewhere in the body, commonly from deep veins in the legs (a condition known as deep vein thrombosis), and lodge in the arteries of the lungs. This blockage can critically reduce blood flow to the lung tissue, causing damage. The lack of perfusion leads to impaired gas exchange as the alveoli are not able to oxygenate the blood effectively. Additionally, the presence of a clot in the pulmonary arteries increases the resistance against which the right ventricle must pump, which can lead to strain and potentially right-sided heart failure, a condition known as acute cor pulmonale.

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