Pulmonary embolism is a condition of the lungs which is caused due to blood clot deposition that blocks your lung vessels. This leads to issues in the blood flowing to the lungs. In this blog, we will learn about the...
Lower extremities/legs have a deep venous system where thrombus or clot formation can happen. These clots travel through the blood circulation. When this circulating clot lodges into the lungs blocking the blood supply to the lungs, it is known as a pulmonary embolism. Sometimes, large clots/thrombi can obstruct the main pulmonary artery at its bifurcation which causes hemodynamic compromises. The obstruction to your lung's pulmonary artery can increase the blood pressure in it. High blood pressure can sometimes be fatal
What Are the Causes of Pulmonary Embolism?
Pulmonary embolism causes
- Due to prolonged bed rest, or prolonged inactivity, pooling of blood starts into your extremities and leads to a collection of blood. This can cause pulmonary embolism
- Any injury to your veins of the lower body including the pelvis, hip, knee, or leg.
- Certain cardiovascular diseases (heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, etc)
- Increased levels of the clotting factors in your body which may happen due to cancer or birth control pills lead to clotting disorders.
What Are the Risk Factors for Pulmonary Embolism?
Risk Factors for PE Development
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Jobs that include long periods of driving
- Varicose vein
- Trauma to veins recently
- Fracture
- Hormonal therapy or contraceptives containing hormones
- Blood clotting disorders
- Diabetes
- Age more than 60 years
- Familial history of clots
- Smokers
- Cancer
- History of cardiac diseases like heart failure, heart attack or stroke
- A BMI of more than 25 indicates obesity
- Pregnancy
- Recent delivery
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism?
Clinical Presentation of PE
- Sudden pleuritic chest pain- The chest pain feels like a heart attack as it is a very sharp pain that is felt during deep breathing. The pain often stops breathing. Chest pain can also be felt while coughing.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath due to pulmonary embolism
- Hypoxia which means decreased oxygen levels reaching your system due to obstruction in the vessels carrying blood to the lungs
Atypical Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism
- Syncope or fainting that can happen due to a sudden decrease in your heart rate or blood pressure.
- Fever due to pulmonary embolism
- Productive cough which means cough with mucus production
- Seizure due to pulmonary embolism
- Abdominal pain or stomach pain
- Flank pain
- Delirium, lightheadedness or dizziness
- Atrial fibrillation new onset
- Wheezing that can occur in COPD also
- Consciousness levels decreasing
- Hemoptysis also known as blood in cough or blood streaked mucus
- Rapid heartbeat (pulse)
- Fast breathing or tachypnea
- Pale, clammy, or bluish skin
- Leg pain or swelling in lower extremities or back
What Are The Complications Of Pulmonary Embolism?
Pulmonary Embolism Can Cause
- Cyanosis or bluish discoloration of skin, lips, or nails
- Heart attack as a complication of pulmonary embolism
- Stroke of heart
- Pulmonary hypertension or increased blood pressure in the pulmonary vein
- Shock state
- Pulmonary infarction or death of lung tissue
Diagnostic Tests for Pulmonary Embolism?
Physical Examination for Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis
- Tachypnea or heavy breathing rate >20/min
- Rales- brief clicking and bubbling sounds in the lungs when the heart.
- Evident second heart sound (S2)
- Increased heart rate or tachypnea >100/min
- Diaphoresis- Unusual amount of sweating as a side effect of a drug
- Heart sounds S3 and S4 gallop
- Clinical signs of thrombophlebitis
- Edema or swelling of the lower extremities
- Cardiac murmur
- Cyanosis- blushing skin discoloration in lips, nails etc.
Laboratory Tests for Pulmonary Embolism
- D-Dimer test BOOK NOW!
- Ischemia-modified albumin levels
- WBC count - White blood cell count BOOK NOW!
- Arterial blood gases
- Serum troponin levels
- Brain natriuretic peptide BOOK NOW!
Imaging Tests for Pulmonary Embolism
- CTA- computed tomography angiography BOOK NOW!
- MDCTA- Multidetector-row CTA
- Pulmonary Angiography BOOK NOW!
- Chest X-ray BOOK NOW!
- V/Q scanning BOOK NOW!
- ECG BOOK NOW!
- MRI BOOK NOW!
- Echocardiography BOOK NOW!
- Venography BOOK NOW!
- Duplex Ultrasonography BOOK NOW!
How Can Pulmonary Embolism Be Treatment?
Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism
- Fibrinolytic therapy- Medicines are used to burst the clots. These medicines are injected into your veins. These medicines are not used until a life-threatening situation arises.
- Anticoagulants- Medicines like warfarin and heparin are used to prevent the progression of blood clots. These are used to stop the clots from getting bigger.
- Vena cava filters- Vena cava filters are used to prevent clots from travelling into the respiratory system. This is used when you cannot get the anticoagulant therapy or when the therapy isn't working, or when you have developed bleeding disorders from these medicines.
- Pulmonary embolectomy- It is a surgical technique used to remove the pulmonary embolism.
- Percutaneous thrombectomy- In this technique, a long catheter is inserted into the vessel that helps in breaking the embolism or pulling it out.
How to Prevent Pulmonary Embolism
Prevention of Pulmonary Embolism
- Using compression stockings that help blood flow more efficiently
- Elevating your legs 4-6 inches above your bed
- Increasing physical activity
- Use thigh-high or calf-high cuffs that inflate and deflate by themselves every few minutes to improve blood flow to your legs
Prevention of Pulmonary Embolism While Traveling
- Drink plenty of water
- Take brief breaks while travelling to move around,, do few knee bends
- Keep moving in your seat, raise your toes up every 15 to 30 minutes
- Wear stockings to support fluid movement and blood circulation in your legs
Conclusion
Pulmonary embolism is not a disease in itself but a complication of other venous thrombosis. Pulmonary embolism can often turn out to be fatal, therefore its timely diagnosis is necessary for determining an appropriate treatment plan. The best diagnostic centre offers accurate diagnosis and precise results in the shortest duration of time.
Why Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Center?
Ganesh Diagnostic Centre has been an established and renowned diagnostic centre since 2001.
We can offer reports online as well. We also offer FLAT 50% OFF on many tests.
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We are known for providing excellent service and care to its patients for decades having created Lakhs of satisfied patients over the years!
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