[Bronchospasm, a sign revealing pulmonary embolism].

As a clinical feature, and sometimes as a feature of the special mechanical tests of ventilation, bronchospasm has been found by the authors to be associated with pulmonary embolus. Bronchospasm was found to be the commonest feature in the 45 patients studied. The sudden onset of bronchospasm must be regarded as strong evidence for pulmonary embolus, especially in patients with a past history of bronchitis. The mechanism of these asthma-like features is discussed. The authors impugn the adrenergic system both to explain the bronchial overactivity of the patients with pulmonary embolus, and to understand how the attack commences.