Final answer:
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can lead to a pulmonary embolism (PE), a severe complication where a blood clot from a deep vein lodges in a pulmonary artery, disrupting blood flow to the lungs and causing serious health risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
A pulmonary embolism is the most serious complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and may be the first indication that the condition was present. When DVT occurs in the deep veins of the legs, for example, there's a risk of a blood clot breaking off, traveling through the bloodstream, and getting lodged in a pulmonary artery, causing a PE. The pulmonary arteries are responsible for carrying deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen. A PE can obstruct this vital flow, leading to severe consequences such as lung damage or even instant death due to disruption of the pulmonary circulation.