PULMONARY EMBOLISM : INTRODUCTION , CAUSES , SIGNS & SYMPTOMS / CLINICAL PRESENTATION

 PULMONARY EMBOLISM

Pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs. 

Usually  pulmonary embolism is caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from deep veins in the legs or, rarely, from veins in other parts of the body (deep vein thrombosis).

Because the clots block blood flow to the lungs, pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening.

However, prompt treatment greatly reduces the risk of death. 

Taking measures to prevent blood clots in legs will help protect against pulmonary embolism.

Symptoms

Pulmonary embolism symptoms can vary greatly, depending on how much of the lung is involved, the size of the clots, and whether one has  underlying lung or heart disease.

Common signs and symptoms include:

Shortness of breath. This symptom typically appears suddenly and always gets worse with exertion.

Chest pain. Patient may feel like he is  having a heart attack. 

The pain is often sharp and felt when the patient  breathes in deeply, often stopping him  from being able to take a deep breath. 

It can also be felt when the patient coughs, bends or stoops.

Cough. The cough may produce bloody or blood-streaked sputum.

Other signs and symptoms that can occur with pulmonary embolism include:

Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Lightheadedness or dizziness

Excessive sweating

Fever

Leg pain or swelling, or both, usually in the calf caused by a deep vein thrombosis

Clammy or discolored skin (cyanosis)

Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening.

Urgent medical attention should be sought if one experience unexplained shortness of breath, chest pain or a cough that produces bloody sputum.

Causes

Pulmonary embolism occurs when a clump of material, most often a blood clot, gets wedged into an artery in the  lungs. 

These blood clots most commonly come from the deep veins of the legs, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

In many cases, multiple clots are involved in pulmonary embolism. 

The portions of lung served by each blocked artery are robbed of blood and may die. 

This is known as pulmonary infarction. 

This makes it more difficult for lungs to provide oxygen to the rest of the body.

Occasionally, blockages in the blood vessels are caused by substances other than blood clots, such as:

Fat from the marrow of a broken long bone

Part of a tumor

Air bubbles

Risk factors

Blood clot in leg vein