- "Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage of an artery in the lungs by a substance that has moved from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (embolism)."
A blockage of one or more arteries in the lungs by a blood clot, which can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and even sudden death.
Anatomy of the respiratory system: Understanding the structure and function of the lungs and their blood vessels is essential when studying pulmonary embolism.
Pathophysiology of pulmonary embolism: This involves understanding the process that leads to the development of pulmonary embolism, including the various factors that can lead to clot formation.
Risk factors for pulmonary embolism: Certain medical conditions and lifestyle factors can increase a person's risk for developing pulmonary embolism, including obesity, pregnancy, and certain medical procedures.
Clinical signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism: Symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing up blood can indicate the presence of pulmonary embolism, and it is important to recognize these symptoms in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: Methods such as chest x-rays and CT scans can be used to diagnose pulmonary embolism, along with blood tests to measure levels of certain proteins.
Treatment of pulmonary embolism: Treatment for PE typically involves anticoagulant medications to prevent further clot formation, along with measures to reduce the risk of complications such as pulmonary hypertension and respiratory failure.
Prevention of pulmonary embolism: Methods to prevent pulmonary embolism include lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and smoking cessation, as well as medications and medical procedures to prevent clot formation.
Complications of pulmonary embolism: If left untreated, pulmonary embolism can lead to serious complications such as pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and respiratory failure.
Prognosis and outcomes of pulmonary embolism: With prompt diagnosis and treatment, most people with pulmonary embolism make a full recovery, although some may experience long-term complications.
Acute pulmonary embolism: A sudden blockage of one or more arteries in the lungs by a blood clot.
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: A long-term consequence of repeated or unresolved pulmonary embolism that results in increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries.
Fat embolism syndrome: A rare condition that occurs when fat droplets are released into the bloodstream and block the arteries in the lungs, causing pulmonary embolism.
Air embolism: A condition that occurs when a pocket of air enters the bloodstream and travels to the lungs, causing pulmonary embolism.
Amniotic fluid embolism: A rare complication of pregnancy that occurs when amniotic fluid enters the mother's bloodstream and causes a pulmonary embolism.
Septic pulmonary embolism: A condition that occurs when bacterial or fungal infections spread from other parts of the body and cause pulmonary embolism.
Tumor embolism: A rare complication of cancer where cancer cells break away from the primary site and travel to the lungs, causing pulmonary embolism.
Paradoxical embolism: A condition where a blood clot in the veins of the body travels to the right side of the heart and then passes through a hole in the heart to reach the left side of the heart, leading to systemic embolism.
Drug-induced pulmonary embolism: A pulmonary embolism that occurs as a side effect of certain medications, such as birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, or cancer chemotherapy.
Traveller's thrombosis: A condition that occurs due to prolonged immobilization during traveling that leads to the formation of blood clots, which can travel to the lungs and cause pulmonary embolism.
- "Symptoms of a PE may include shortness of breath, chest pain particularly upon breathing in, and coughing up blood." - "Symptoms of a blood clot in the leg may also be present, such as a red, warm, swollen, and painful leg."
- "Signs of a PE include low blood oxygen levels, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, and sometimes a mild fever."
- "The risk of blood clots is increased by advanced age, cancer, prolonged bed rest and immobilization, smoking, stroke, long-haul travel over 4 hours, certain genetic conditions, estrogen-based medication, pregnancy, obesity, trauma or bone fracture, and after some types of surgery."
- "Diagnosis is based on signs and symptoms in combination with test results." - "If the risk is low, a blood test known as a D-dimer may rule out the condition." - "Otherwise, a CT pulmonary angiography, lung ventilation/perfusion scan, or ultrasound of the legs may confirm the diagnosis."
- "Together, deep vein thrombosis and PE are known as venous thromboembolism (VTE)."
- "Efforts to prevent PE include beginning to move as soon as possible after surgery, lower leg exercises during periods of sitting, and the use of blood thinners after some types of surgery."
- "Treatment is with anticoagulants such as heparin, warfarin or one of the direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs)." - "Severe cases may require thrombolysis using medication such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) given intravenously or through a catheter, and some may require surgery (a pulmonary thrombectomy)." - "If blood thinners are not appropriate, a temporary vena cava filter may be used."
- "Pulmonary emboli affect about 430,000 people each year in Europe." - "In the United States, between 300,000 and 600,000 cases occur each year, which contribute to at least 40,000 deaths." - "Rates are similar in males and females."
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- "Symptoms of a blood clot in the leg may also be present, such as a red, warm, swollen, and painful leg."
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- "Estrogen-based medication."
- "Pregnancy."
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- "After some types of surgery."
- "A small proportion of cases are due to the embolization of air, fat, or amniotic fluid."
- "These are recommended for at least three months."
- "If blood thinners are not appropriate, a temporary vena cava filter may be used."