Pulmonary embolism historical perspective

Associate Editors-in-Chief: Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS [mailto:urastogi@perfuse.org]

Overview
Insights into the historical perspective of PE is useful in deciding contemporary advances. Throughout history, many renowned researchers and health care professionals have contributed to the understanding, definition, and treatment of pulmonary embolism. The first written reference to thrombotic disease is likely attributed to the ancient Indian medical texts of ayurveda physician and surgeon, Sushruta (circa 600–1000 BCE), which describes a patient who had a ‘‘swollen and painful leg which was difficult to treat ’’.