General Information About Pulmonary Embolism
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the sudden blockage of one of the arteries bringing blood to the lungs to be cleaned, by a blood clot breaking off from another part of the body (usually the leg veins), thereby disrupting the blood supply to the lung.
Prolonged immobility (long flights, being bedridden), major orthopedic surgeries, genetic blood clotting disorders, cancer diseases, and the use of birth control pills increase the risk of clot formation.
Sudden onset of shortness of breath without any physical exertion, sharp stabbing pain in the chest when taking a deep breath, palpitations, cough, and sometimes coughing up bloody sputum.
Yes, it is a very serious medical emergency. If a large clot completely blocks the main artery (massive embolism), blood flow stops, leading to cardiac arrest and death within seconds.
A high D-Dimer test result in the blood in the emergency room increases suspicion. A definitive diagnosis is made instantly with Computed Tomography Angiography (CT Angio) with contrast, which displays the lung vessels in detail.
As soon as the diagnosis is made, strong intravenous blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) are started. In high-risk cases, thrombolytic drugs that rapidly dissolve the clot or procedures to break up the clot angiographically are applied.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
