Patients with massive pulmonary embolism are required to undergo immediate resuscitation in an intensive care management system. Apart from that, shock due to tissue hypoperfusion and hypoxia, including a level of altered consciousness, is also a minor parameter in the context of massive pulmonary embolism. Systemic hypotension is defined as systolic arterial blood pressure, which is less than 90 mmHb, or reduction in systolic arterial blood pressure for 15 min with a value of 40 mmHg. Systemic hypotension is the key parameter in massive pulmonary embolism. With prompt diagnosis and therapy, the risk is reduced. This condition has a high mortality rate. Massive pulmonary embolism is the obstruction of the pulmonary artery exceeding more than 50% of the cross-sectional area, causing severe cardiopulmonary failure derived from right ventricular overload with systemic hypotension. Summary – Massive vs Submassive Pulmonary Embolism What is Massive Pulmonary Embolism? Massive vs Submassive Pulmonary Embolism in Tabular FormĦ. Similarities – Massive and Submassive Pulmonary Embolismĥ. This clot will prevent blood flow to the lungs and cause severe life-threatening conditions. Pulmonary embolism is a disease condition caused by the blockage of a pulmonary artery in the lungs due to a blood clot generated from deep veins in the legs that travel up to the lungs. The key difference between massive and submassive pulmonary embolism is that massive pulmonary embolism is the obstruction of the pulmonary artery with systemic hypotension, while submassive pulmonary embolism is the condition where individuals suffer from pulmonary embolism with right ventricular dysfunction or myocardial necrosis but without systemic hypotension.