Pulmonary Embolism

It is the sudden blockage of the main arteries that carry oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs to be oxygenated, caused by a blood clot that has broken off from another part of the body (mostly the legs).

In about 90% of cases, the source is clots formed in the deep veins of the legs (Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT). This clot breaks free from the leg, travels to the right side of the heart, and from there is pumped into the lungs, blocking the vessels.

Patients on prolonged bed rest, those who have undergone major surgery, people taking long flights/bus rides, obese individuals, cancer patients, and women using birth control pills are at high risk.

Symptoms include a sudden onset of suffocation (profound shortness of breath) that begins in seconds with no prior issues, sharp stabbing chest pain when breathing in, palpitations, coughing, and coughing up blood (hemoptysis).

In the emergency room, the blood is tested for a clot breakdown product called 'D-Dimer'. A definitive diagnosis is made using CT Pulmonary Angiography, which visualizes the blocked vessels in the lungs instantly after contrast fluid is administered intravenously.

If the blockage is small, powerful blood thinners (Anticoagulants) in the form of injections or pills are started to prevent new clots from forming; the body will naturally dissolve the clot over time. However, if a vital artery is blocked and blood pressure drops, powerful clot-dissolving drugs (Thrombolytics) are injected into the vein, or the clot is extracted via an angiogram.