What is Pulmonary Embolus?
The word pulmonary stands for lungs and embolus means blood clot that travels, so Pulmonary Embolus (PE, for short) is a medical condition where clots “swim” in the blood stream towards the lungs, are “filtered” and caught in the pulmonary artery (the main artery of the lungs), causing obstruction of blood flow into the lungs, resulting in hypoxia (diminished oxygen blood level). Pulmonary embolus is a serious condition which could be fatal, if not detected and treated promptly. What are the signs and symptoms of PE? The clinical symptoms are usually nonspecific, depending on the severity of the pulmonary artery blockage. There could be chest pains, cough, shortness of breath, tachypnea (fast and shallow breathing), hemoptysis (spitting of blood) lightheadedness, fainting, occasionally with lung wheezing, anxiety and restlessness, and even a sense of impeding doom. Frequently, these patients are asymptomatic (with no symptoms at all). Many times, only a high index of suspicion on the p
Click here for Powerpoint on imaging PE (Big file slow to load) Pulmonary embolus is a blockage of an artery in the lungs by fat, air, tumor tissue, or blood clot. What causes Pulmonary Embolus? Pulmonary emboli are caused by clots from the venous circulation, from the right side of the heart, from tumors that have invaded the circulatory system, or from other sources such as amniotic fluid, air, fat, bone marrow, and foreign substances. Most are caused from clots originating in the lower extremities called deep vein thrombosis(DVT), and many resolve on their own. A pulmonary embolism affects as many as 5 out of 10,000 people in the U.S. each year, and sudden death can occur as a result of pulmonary embolism. The risk factors include prolonged bed rest or inactivity, oral contraceptive use, surgery, child birth, cancer, stroke, heart attack, heart surgery, and fractures of the hips or femur. How can you prevent Pulmonary Embolus? Early detection and treatment of DVT(clots of the legs)
