Causes, symptoms and treatment of pulmonary embolism
Thromboembolism is a pathological condition that develops as a result of blockage of the vessel lumen by a blood clot. If this happens in the lungs, blood stops flowing to a separate part of the pulmonary artery, which subsequently leads to the death of this area. Treatment of pulmonary embolism involves the use of modern techniques, but before choosing a specific tactic, the patient must undergo diagnostics.
Causes and symptoms of pulmonary embolism
The only reason for the development of pathology is the presence of a blood clot (thrombus) in a particular artery. And the following factors can provoke the formation of a clot
- high and rapid blood clotting;
- limited mobility - for example, in patients undergoing prolonged rehabilitation after injuries or surgical interventions
- hereditary diseases characterized by increased blood clotting;
- sepsis.
The causes of vascular thromboembolism can be quite simple things: uncontrolled use of medications (self-medication), improper diet, high blood cholesterol, and a sedentary lifestyle. In addition, thromboembolism can be triggered by existing oncological diseases or chemotherapy.
The symptoms are pronounced and correspond exactly to the symptoms of heart/pulmonary failure. They rarely appear all at the same time, however, the presence of even one of the symptoms is a reason for urgent seeking of qualified medical care. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism:
- breathing becomes shallow and rapid, shortness of breath progresses;
- when coughing and taking a deep breath, the patient complains of acute pain in the area of the anatomical location of the heart;
- the patient feels weak. There may be dizziness, loss of consciousness;
- the heart rate increases rapidly and a sustained tachycardia develops;
- the cervical veins swell and pulsate actively.
With the progression of the disease, a dry cough appears, which quickly turns into a wet cough with sputum, usually with blood. Body temperature may rise, but this is an optional symptom.
Please note: if the clot blockage has affected only the lumen of small pulmonary arteries, all of the above symptoms will be mild.
How pulmonary embolism is diagnosed
Before starting treatment, the doctor will definitely conduct a full examination of the patient with characteristic complaints. If the patient's condition does not require emergency medical care, then the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism involves
- ultrasound scanning of the lungs;
- chest radiography;
- electrocardiogram;
- blood sampling for laboratory testing;
- angiopulmonography.
If the patient's condition is severe, then emergency care for pulmonary embolism is indicated, which consists in reducing the intensity of symptoms, facilitating breathing and normalizing/stabilizing the heart. Such measures are carried out either in an ambulance or in the intensive care unit of a medical institution.
Treatment of pulmonary embolism
Death from pulmonary thromboembolism can occur in the case of rapid development of a pathological condition, when there is simply no time to provide qualified medical care to the patient. If the patient is in a critical but stable condition, his chances of successful treatment are high. The general principles of therapy include the following measures:
- Active oxygen therapy. In some cases, the patient is connected to a ventilator around the clock, through which oxygen is supplied from time to time.
- Taking anticoagulants. If the blood clots are small and the blockage of the arteries is not yet dangerous, this treatment is quite enough - blood clotting stabilizes, small blood clots dissolve on their own, and new ones do not form.
- Therapy with thrombolytic drugs is performed only in case of severe pulmonary embolism.
Often, the patient's condition is so critical that therapeutic methods alone are not enough. In this case, doctors prescribe surgical intervention - embolectomy with surgical removal of a blood clot (thrombus). The prognosis after surgery for thromboembolism is not always favorable, as the surgical intervention is complex and is accompanied by a high risk of complications. Given this, it is extremely rarely used.
Of particular importance is the prevention of pulmonary embolism, which consists in the treatment of diseases that can provoke blood clots.
You can find out more about where the pulmonary embolism clinic is located, which doctors are seeing this issue and what treatment the patient will receive if the diagnosis is confirmed on the pages of our website Dobrobut.com.
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