It is a blockage of the lung's main artery or one of its branches by a substance that has traveled from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (embolism).
PE results from adeep vein thrombosis (commonly a blood clot in a leg) that breaks off and migrates to the lung, a process termed venous thromboembolism (VTE).
A small proportion of cases are caused by the embolization of air, fat, or talc in drugs of intravenous drug abusers or amniotic fluid.
The risk of PE is increased in various situations, such as cancer or prolonged bed rest.
The obstruction of the blood flow through the lungs by a PE results in increased pressure on the right ventricle of the heart, since it is the chamber that pumps blood to the lungs, and leads to the symptoms and signs of a PE. Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include
difficulty breathing,
chest pain on inspiration, and palpitations.
Clinical signs
include low blood oxygen saturation
cyanosis,
rapid breathing, and
a rapid heart rate.
Severe cases of PE can lead to
collapse,
abnormally low blood pressure, &
sudden death.
Diagnosis is based on these clinical findings in combination with imaging studies, usually
CT pulmonary angiography.
If suspicion of a pulmonary embolus is lower, a negative result from a D-dimer test can be used to rule out a pulmonary embolus.
Treatment anticoagulant medication, including heparin and warfarin.
Severe cases may require thrombolysis using medication such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), or may require surgical intervention via pulmonary thrombectomy.
PE results from adeep vein thrombosis (commonly a blood clot in a leg) that breaks off and migrates to the lung, a process termed venous thromboembolism (VTE).
A small proportion of cases are caused by the embolization of air, fat, or talc in drugs of intravenous drug abusers or amniotic fluid.
The risk of PE is increased in various situations, such as cancer or prolonged bed rest.
The obstruction of the blood flow through the lungs by a PE results in increased pressure on the right ventricle of the heart, since it is the chamber that pumps blood to the lungs, and leads to the symptoms and signs of a PE. Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include
difficulty breathing,
chest pain on inspiration, and palpitations.
Clinical signs
include low blood oxygen saturation
cyanosis,
rapid breathing, and
a rapid heart rate.
Severe cases of PE can lead to
collapse,
abnormally low blood pressure, &
sudden death.
Diagnosis is based on these clinical findings in combination with imaging studies, usually
CT pulmonary angiography.
If suspicion of a pulmonary embolus is lower, a negative result from a D-dimer test can be used to rule out a pulmonary embolus.
Treatment anticoagulant medication, including heparin and warfarin.
Severe cases may require thrombolysis using medication such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), or may require surgical intervention via pulmonary thrombectomy.
