Pulmonary embolism overview: Difference between revisions
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'''Pulmonary embolism''' (PE) is an acute obstruction of the [[pulmonary artery]] (or one of its branches). | '''Pulmonary embolism''' (PE) is an acute obstruction of the [[pulmonary artery]] (or one of its branches). | ||
The obstruction in the pulmonary artery that causes a PE can be due to [[thrombus]], air, [[tumor]], or [[fat]]. Most often, this is due to a [[ | The obstruction in the pulmonary artery that causes a PE can be due to [[thrombus]], air, [[tumor]], or [[fat]]. Most often, this is due to a [[venous thrombosis]] (blood clot from a vein), which has been dislodged from its site of formation in the lower extremities. It has then [[embolism|embolized]] to the [[pulmonary artery|arterial]] blood supply of one of the lungs. This process is termed ''[[thromboembolism]]''. | ||
In other rare forms of pulmonary embolism, material other than a blood clot may be responsible; this may include | In other rare forms of pulmonary embolism, material other than a blood clot may be responsible; this may include: | ||
*[[Lipid|Fat]] | *[[Lipid|Fat]] | ||
*[[Bone]] (usually in association with significant trauma) | *[[Bone]] (usually in association with significant trauma) | ||
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*Clumped [[tumor cell]]s | *Clumped [[tumor cell]]s | ||
*[[Amniotic fluid]] (affecting mothers during [[childbirth]]). | *[[Amniotic fluid]] (affecting mothers during [[childbirth]]). | ||
PE | PE is a potentially lethal condition. The patient can present with a range of signs and symptoms, including [[dyspnea]], [[chest pain]] while breathing, and in more severe cases [[Collapse (medical)|collapse]], [[shock]], and [[cardiac arrest]]. | ||
PE treatment requires rapid and accurate risk stratification before the development of hemodynamic collapse and cardiogenic shock. Treatment consists of an [[anticoagulant]] medication, such as [[heparin]] or [[warfarin]], and in severe cases, [[thrombolysis]] or surgery. | |||
The median hospital stay for PE was 3 days and the mean total hospitalization cost was found to be $8,764 in a retrospective study. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 12:55, 8 October 2012
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Pulmonary Embolism Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Pulmonary Embolism Assessment of Probability of Subsequent VTE and Risk Scores |
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Treatment |
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Follow-Up |
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Special Scenario |
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Trials |
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Case Studies |
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Pulmonary embolism overview On the Web |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Pulmonary embolism overview |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Pulmonary embolism overview |
Editor(s)-In-Chief: The APEX Trial Investigators, C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Overview
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is an acute obstruction of the pulmonary artery (or one of its branches).
The obstruction in the pulmonary artery that causes a PE can be due to thrombus, air, tumor, or fat. Most often, this is due to a venous thrombosis (blood clot from a vein), which has been dislodged from its site of formation in the lower extremities. It has then embolized to the arterial blood supply of one of the lungs. This process is termed thromboembolism. In other rare forms of pulmonary embolism, material other than a blood clot may be responsible; this may include:
- Fat
- Bone (usually in association with significant trauma)
- Air (often when diving)
- Clumped tumor cells
- Amniotic fluid (affecting mothers during childbirth).
PE is a potentially lethal condition. The patient can present with a range of signs and symptoms, including dyspnea, chest pain while breathing, and in more severe cases collapse, shock, and cardiac arrest.
PE treatment requires rapid and accurate risk stratification before the development of hemodynamic collapse and cardiogenic shock. Treatment consists of an anticoagulant medication, such as heparin or warfarin, and in severe cases, thrombolysis or surgery.
The median hospital stay for PE was 3 days and the mean total hospitalization cost was found to be $8,764 in a retrospective study.