What are the risk factors associated with pulmonary embolism?

The risk factors associated with pulmonary embolism are: - Genetic conditions that can increase the risk of blood clot formation. - Family history of blood clot diseases - Patients who underwent surgery or any major injury. - Age-related disorder - Previous history of clots. - Patients who underwent cancer therapy - Enlarged veins (varicose veins) - History of smoking - Obesity.

How is pulmonary embolism diagnosed?

Diagnosis of PE is often difficult since most of the symptoms of PE resemble other diseases. A few of the diagnostic tests are listed below: - Chest X-ray- used to assess the lungs and heart. - Ventilation/ Perfusion (V/Q) scan- It is used to evaluate ventilation or movement of air in and out of the bronchi and bronchioles. A perfusion scan measures blood flow to the lungs. - Pulmonary angiogram- It is used to evaluate various conditions such as an aneurysm (bulging of blood vessels), stenosis (narrowing of blood vessels), or blockages. - CT and MRI scan

CT scan of the chest showed large bilateral proximal PE

CT scan of the chest showed large bilateral proximal PE - Duplex ultrasound (US)- It is done to assess the blood flow and structure of blood vessels in the legs. - Blood tests - EKG (Electrocardiogram)- Used to evaluate the heart [3].

What are the complications associated with pulmonary embolism?

Major complications associated with PE are listed below: - Recurrent pulmonary embolism - Pulmonary infarction - Pulmonary hypertension - Death

How do we prevent pulmonary embolism?

Here are a few steps a patient can follow to prevent PE. - Patients at high risk of forming blood clots should take blood-thinning medications such as heparin, warfarin, or warfarin alternative before and after the surgery. These medications will prevent the formation of blood clots in high-risk patients. - Quit smoking - Obese patients should reduce their weight by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, and following a strict healthy diet. - Usage of compression stockings for the legs - Pneumatic compression.

How long will the patient require to recover from PE?

The duration of recovery from PE depends upon various factors such as type of PE, location, and severity. On average, the patient might require about a few weeks to months to recover from PE.

What is the prognosis of patients diagnosed with PE?

The prognosis of patients with PE depends on the underlying disease state and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Approximately 10% of the patients die within the first one hour, and 30% die subsequently from recurrent embolism [5].

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

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What is a Pulmonary Embolism? Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs. In most cases, the cause of pulmonary embolism is blood clots that travel to the lungs from the deep veins in the legs or rarely from other parts of the body. What is a Pulmonary… Read More

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

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