What is the treatment for pulmonary embolism?
The best treatment for a pulmonary embolus is prevention. Minimizing the risk of deep vein thrombosis is key in preventing a potentially fatal illness. The initial decision is whether the patient requires hospitalization. Recent studies suggest that those patients with a small pulmonary embolus, who are hemodynamically, stable (normal vital signs) and who can be compliant with treatment, may be treated at home with close outpatient care. Those who are unstable need to be admitted to the hospital. Anticoagulation The first step in stable patients with pulmonary embolism is anticoagulation. This is a two step process. Warfarin (Coumadin) is the drug of choice for anti-coagulation. It is taken by mouth beginning immediately upon the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, but may take up to week for the blood to be appropriately thinned or anticoagulated. As an immediate solution and as a bridge until the Coumadin becomes effective, low molecular weight heparin [enoxaparin (Lovenox)] is administ
