pulmonary embolism treatment

pulmonary embolism treatment


 Pulmonary embolism: symptoms, treatments and causes
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★ symptoms • treatment • prevention
 overview
What is Pulmonary Embolism?
Synonyms: thromboembolism pulmonar

Pulmonary embolism is a blockage of one or more arteries of the lungs caused by fat, air, blood clot or cancer cells.


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Causes
A pulmonary embolism is most often caused by the presence of a blood clot in an artery, which blocks the passage of blood. This clot is usually derived from leg veins (mostly from the thigh region) or from the pelvis (hips area). This type of clot is also called deep venous thrombosis (DVT). DVT breaks loose and moves to the lungs.

Less common causes include air bubbles, fat droplets, amniotic fluid, parasites or cancer cells.

Risk factors
All people may have a pulmonary embolism, but some factors may increase the risk of this happening. Look:

Family history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
Heart problems such as high blood pressure, hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions
Some types of cancer, especially pancreas, ovaries and lung, plus some metastases. Women with a history of breast cancer may also develop the problem
Being too long at rest and lying down can lead to a pulmonary embolism as well, such as after surgery, a heart attack, a leg fracture, or any other serious illness that necessitates hospitalization
Staying too long is also a risk factor, especially during workdays and travel by plane or car
SmokeObesity
Estrogen supplements, common in birth control pills and in hormone replacement therapy
Pregnancy.
Being submitted to surgery is one of the main causes of blood clots, especially in the implantation of prostheses in the hip and in the knee. During the preparation of the bones for the artificial joints, the tissue remains can enter the bloodstream and contribute to cause a clot. Just be immobile during any type of surgery and the risk of clot formation increases considerably. The risk grows according to the time you are under general anesthesia. For this reason, most people who undergo surgery and have some type of predisposition to blood clotting will receive medication before and after surgery to prevent clots from forming.

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 symptoms
Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism
Symptoms of pulmonary embolism usually vary, depending on the number of arterial blocks and what parts of the lung are involved. The main symptoms of pulmonary embolism are:

Pain under the sternum or on one side of this, which can:

Being sharp or penetrating
Being described as a burning sensation, pain, numbness or weight
Worse when the subject breathes deeply, coughs, eats or bows
Have the patient bend or hold his or her chest in response to pain.
In addition, the patient may present:

Sudden coughing, expectoration of blood or bloody sputum
Quick Breathing
High heart rate
Sudden respiratory failure.
Other symptoms of pulmonary embolism that may occur:

Anxiety
Bluish skin color (cyanosis)
Cold and damp skin
Dizziness
Leg pain, redness and swelling
Dizziness or fainting
Low blood pressure
Sweating
Breathing breath.

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 diagnosis and exams
Seeking medical help
Pulmonary embolism can lead a person to death, so seek medical help right away if you experience some of the symptoms described above and especially if you have difficulty breathing, chest pain and cough that comes with mucus and blood.

At the medical appointment
Pulmonary embolism is usually an emergency case that will require immediate medical attention. The doctor may perform a physical examination to look for any signs of deep vein thrombosis in the patient's legs, usually characterized by a red, tender and swollen region, and will also measure blood pressure.

Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism
After the physical examination, the doctor will ask for some specific tests to make sure that it is a case of pulmonary embolism, since the diagnosis is difficult to make based only on the observation of symptoms. The specialist can ask for:

Bloodtests
Imaging tests, such as chest x-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging
Ventilation / lung perfusion scan
Pulmonary angiography
Echocardiogram.
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 treatment and care
Treatment of pulmonary embolismThe prompt delivery of pulmonary embolism is essential to avoid complications. Treatment can be done via medications, such as anticoagulants and thrombolytics, used to dissolve blood clots.

There is also the option of surgery in case drugs do not work. The patient may undergo surgical procedures in which the blood clot is removed or the use of a catheter that functions as a filter and prevents the passage of the clot from the leg to the lung.

Pulmonary Embolism Medications
The most commonly used medications for the treatment of pulmonary embolism are:

Acebrofilina
Acetylcysteine
Aerolin
Atrovent
Ares
Only a doctor can tell you which drug is most appropriate for your case, as well as the correct dosage and duration of treatment. Always follow your doctor's guidelines carefully and NEVER self-medicate. Do not stop using the medication without first consulting a doctor and if you take it more than once or in much larger amounts than prescribed, follow the instructions in the package insert.


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 coexisting (prognosis)
Possible Complications
Pulmonary embolism can be fatal. When the disease is diagnosed and treated early, however, the number of fatal pulmonary embolisms drops dramatically.

Pulmonary embolism can also lead to pulmonary hypertension, a condition in which blood pressure in the lungs and the right side of the heart is higher than normal. When there are obstructions in the arteries of the lungs, the heart has to work harder to push the blood through these vessels. This increases blood pressure within these vessels and the heart and can wear down the organ.

In rare cases, it may be that some small emboli develop within the lung, resulting in a case of chronic thrombosis.

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 prevention
Prevention
Preventing blood clotting may also help prevent the occurrence of pulmonary embolism. Therefore, your doctor may prescribe anticoagulant medications, compression socks to improve blood flow and reduce the chances of clotting.

Jogging your legs frequently during long plane and car trips or in other situations where you sit or lie for long periods can help prevent clotting. People at high risk for blood clots may need heparin injections while on a flight that lasts for more than four hours.

Do moderate physical activity regularly and do not smoke. If you smoke, stop, especially women who are takingestrogen.