what causes blood clots in lungs

what causes blood clots in lungs 


 What is Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism, also known as "pulmonary infarction" and "pulmonary thromboembolism" (PTE). It is characterized by a severe condition, which begins when a thrombus (clot or emboli) located in one of the veins of the legs or pelvis is released, ie the vessels of the lung (arteries) are blocked.

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These blockages can occur from pieces of fat, fragments of bones or air bubbles. Clots usually originate from the lower limbs (90% of cases) and pulmonary embolism is then recognized as a complication of thrombosis.

It then travels through the body, lodged in one of the arteries of the lung, and obstructs the flow of blood. Depending on the size of the thrombus, pulmonary embolism can lead the patient to sudden death, as they interrupt the pulmonary circulation.

The greatest occurrence of pulmonary embolism in Brazil is around 30 years; already in the United States and Europe, it usually occurs from the age of 40, having a peak incidence around the age of 60 to 70 years.

The annual incidence of the disease is 0.7 to 1.0 patient per thousand inhabitants, with a lethality rate of 12% to 17%. The pulmonary embolism is alarming, since about half of the deaths caused by it are not suspected and about 1/3 of the diagnoses are done in the wrong way.

Table of Contents - In this article you will find the following information:
What is Pulmonary Embolism
The Causes of Pulmonary Embolism
What are the types of the disease?
What are the symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism?
Which professional should I look for? And what's the diagnosis?
Is Pulmonary Embolism a cure? And what is the treatment?
7.Groups and risk factors
Complications / Prognosis
How to prevent? Is it transmissible?
The Causes of Pulmonary Embolism

The causes of clot formation are several, but the main ones are the emboli, which originate from the thromboses that arise in the veins of the lower limbs (Deep Vein Thrombosis DVT).

While the main factor of occurrence of embolism is prolonged immobilization of the individual, post-surgical homes.

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The main causes of pulmonary embolism are:

Obesity.
Venous insufficiency of the lower limbs.
High pressure.
Blood hypercoagulability problems.
Vascular problems.
Smoking.
Advanced age.
Cardiac insufficiency.
Contraceptive pill.
Hormone replacement.
Use of tamoxifen or raloxifene.
Thrombophilia (coagulation disorders such as antiphospholipid antibody).
In most cases clots arise from the lower limbs, but may also arise from the postoperative period or from patients with tumors.

What are the types of the disease?

Among the most common are:Gas Embolism
Caused by bubbles of gas that form in the circulation, as in the process of sudden decompression on the ascent to the surface by a diver.

Greasy Embolism
Caused by fragments of adipose tissue that entered the circulation after a major trauma, for example in a hip fracture.

Amniotic embolism
It occurs after delivery, due to the passage of part of the amniotic fluid into the mother's circulation.

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What are the symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism?

There are symptoms in the pulmonary embolism, however they are imperceptible in the majority of the cases (about 50%), fact that aggravates the disease. Other symptoms are quite similar to those of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Patients with pulmonary embolism may exhibit the following symptoms:

Increased liver and spleen size.
Anxiety.
Swelling in the legs or along their veins.
Dyspnoea (shortness of breath).
Tachycardia: fast heart beat.
Cyanosis: blue-purple coloration of the skin.
Chest in the chest (wheezing).
Chest pain.
Cough.
Shortness of breath.
Swelling of the lower limbs and vessels in the neck.
Breathing short and breathless.
Pulse weak and fast.
Dizziness.
Intense sweating.
Which professional should I look for? And what's the diagnosis?



The pulmonologist, oncologist or general practitioner will make the diagnosis by examining the patient's symptoms and by imaging tests to check for vessel blockage, in addition to laboratory tests, which also help the doctor to clarify the suspicion of the disease.

It is also checked if there are cases of pulmonary embolism in the family. Among the tests that the doctor may ask to assist in the diagnosis are:

X-ray of the chest region.
Lung image examination.
Exams for ventilation and lung perfusion: to check the ventilatory capacity of the lung.
Computed tomography: checks the state of the pulmonary vessels.
Pulmonary angiography: A catheter is inserted into a large vein to check for vessels disrupted by clots.
Ultrasound examination: noninvasive test, produces an image of vessels and lung.
Perfusion examination or scintigraphy.
D-dimer: performed as soon as care is started.
Arterial gasometry: will measure the level of oxygen in the blood.
Pulmonary arteriography: an exam that injects a substance that contrasts the arteries.
Pulmonary ventilation scintigraphy.
Electrocardiogram.
Magnetic nuclear resonance: because it is a rather expensive test, it is more intended for pregnant women who can not use radioactive contrasts and / or be exposed to radiation. It shows an image of the vessels and the lung.
Is Pulmonary Embolism a cure? And what is the treatment?Yes, it is cured when the diagnosis is made early and the treatment is followed exactly. The treatment is indicated to avoid the formation of clots and also to dissolve those that already exist. It can be either medicated or surgical.

Medication
Your doctor may order the following blood thinners:

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Aerolin.
Atrovent.
Ares.
Heparin.
Enoxaparin.
Rivaroxabana.
Warfarin.
Activated plasminogen conversion factor or tissue plasminogen activator (RtPA), streptokinase: this medicine is a thrombolytic (or fibrinolytic) type, dissolves the thrombus and is used in extreme cases.
Acebrofilina.
Acetylcysteine.
When using coagulant medications, avoid vitamin K as it may interfere with their effects. They may also be indicated for treatment:
Surgery
Also known as thrombectomy or pulmonary embolectomy. There are surgical techniques to unclog the vessels of the lung, such as the removal of the clot through a catheter.

In addition to the possibility of implantation of filters in large vessels (such as the vena cava) to prevent clots from reaching the lung. Specialists can also have the patient undergo surgery to try to remove as many clots as possible (only for extreme cases of shock).

Other types of treatment
There are other types of treatment, as well as herbal medicine, let's see:

Supportive therapy: for patients in need.
Medicinal plants:
White clover.
Hamamélis.
Horse chestnut.
Mistletoe.
Lime tree.
Homeopathy: used to reduce blood viscosity.
Ventilatory support: it assists the patient to breathe and hemodynamic support (to correct hypovolemic shock), in this case medicines are also administered to correct acid-base and electrolyte balance of blood, as well as loop diuretics, such as furosemide.
Compression stockings: suitable for those who are sitting or immobilized for a long time, because they massage the place.
Patients with underlying malignant pulmonary embolism are recommended to take the course of low molecular weight heparin, which is more favorable for such cases. When treated correctly, the embolism will not leave any sequelae.

Attention!

NEVER self-medicate or stop using a medicine without first consulting a doctor. Only he can tell which medication, dosage and duration of treatment is most appropriate for your specific case. The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace a specialist's advice or to serve as a recommendation for any type of treatment. Always follow the directions on the package leaflet and, if symptoms persist, seek medical or pharmaceutical advice.

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Groups and risk factors

Among the groups and risk factors are many, we can divide them into 3, being:

Medical history
Individuals who have a family history of pulmonary embolism are also at risk of having the disease. In addition to some conditions that favor the risk of having pulmonary embolism, they are:

Cardiac diseases such as: cardiovascular and heart failure.
Cancer: certain types of cancer (ovary, lung, etc.), increase blood clotting levels and also chemotherapy; increasing the chances of the patient having pulmonary embolism.
Surgery: This is one of the leading causes of blood clotting.
Prolonged immobility
Blood clots are more likely to form during heavy resting.

Rest in hospital: Many individuals are at risk of developing embolus after a long period of rest due to surgeries, fractures, or other situations that require prolonged bed rest.
Long trips: People who stay for long periods in tight positions also run the risk due to the blood flow in the legs decrease.
Other factors
Other risk factors for developing the disease include:Anesthesia.
Pregnant women.
Smoking.
Inflammation.
Burns.
BIRD.
Age over 40 years.
Sedentary lifestyle.
High cholesterol.
Patients with a tendency to hypercoagulation of the blood.
Patients with a history of deep vein disease.
Supplementary estrogen.
Patients with certain types of tumor.
Complications / Prognosis

When untreated, the complications that may arise for the patient with pulmonary embolism are:

Severe respiratory insufficiency.
Pneumonia.
Death.
It is important to understand that when a pulmonary embolism occurs, the circulation is suddenly interrupted in a portion of the lung. This causes the resistance of the blood circulation to increase and the normal lung operating area decreases.

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This increase overwhelms the heart, while decreasing the area of ​​gas exchange leads to less oxygenation of the blood. Such an occurrence may lead to sudden death in the individual. About 15% of sudden deaths are caused by pulmonary embolism.

How to prevent? Is it transmissible?



To prevent pulmonary embolism it is recommended:

Practice physical activities.
Control the diet.
Avoid smoking, obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
Control your blood pressure.
Use anticoagulants when needed.
Reduce weight.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Pulmonary emboli involve about 430,000 people per year in Europe and 300,000 to 600,000 in the United States,the prevalence of the disease in Brazil is estimated at 3.9% to 16.6%. And now that you already know how to prevent this disease,share this article so others can prevent it too!