- Home
- Vascular Surgery
- Conditions and Diseases
- Pulmonary Embolism
Basic definition of a Pulmonary Embolism
A pulmonary embolism is the sudden blockage of a major artery in your lung. Usually due to a blood clot that develops in another part of your body, breaks off and travels in the blood stream into the lung where it blocks the pumping of your heart and prevents it from taking in oxygen.
Pulmonary embolisms are the third most common cardiovascular disease after heart attack and stroke.
If you are experiencing symptoms, call 911 immediately as stroke/pulmonary embolism may result in permanent injury or death if not addressed immediately.
Pulmonary embolism is a medical emergency. If any of the symptoms below occur, seek immediate medical attention.
After the high-risk period has elapsed (roughly one week), blood clots in your lung will need months or years to completely resolve.
What are the symptoms of a PE?
Symptoms usually begin suddenly and may include:
If you have recently had a blood clot in a leg or arm, you may experience:
Causes of Pulmonary Embolism
A variety of risk factors contribute to the development of pulmonary embolism:
Placement of vein catheters, pacemakers or implantable defibrillators
The following tests may be recommended to diagnose a Pulmonary Embolism:
Treatment strategies
Pulmonary embolism is usually treated with medication (anti coagulants). Blood thinners, also known as anticoagulants, are the most common medicines used for treating PE. They prevent blood clots from getting larger by decreasing your blood's ability to clot. Over time, your body works with the blood thinners to decrease the size and consistency of the clot. Blood thinners can be taken as a pill, as an injection or intravenously (through an IV). Blood thinners can increase your chance of bleeding, so careful follow-up with your vascular surgeon is necessary.
Clot Blusters
Clot-busters are one way to immediately remove a clot. Clot busters are taken intravenously, through an IV in the arm (systemic thrombolysis) or through a long catheter (thin tube) that delivers them directly to a clot in the lung (catheter-directed thrombolysis).
Surgery
Mechanical cardiopulmonary support and open surgery to physically remove the clot are the last resort treatment alternatives when other techniques have failed or are contraindicated.
Staying healthy after a Pulmonary Embolism
Vascular Surgery
Vascular Surgery
Vascular Surgery
Vascular Surgery