acute
Pulmonary embolism
embolism (PE) is a blockage of an in the lungs by a substance that has moved from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (embolism). Symptoms of a PE may include shortness of breath, chest pain particularly upon breathing in, and coughing up blood. Symptoms of a blood clot in the leg may also be present, such as a red, warm, swollen, and painful leg. Signs of a PE include low blood oxygen levels, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, and sometimes a mild fever. Severe cases can lead to passing out, abnormally low blood pressure, obstructive shock, and sudden death.
Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.
Symptoms — what it feels like
- ·Shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood
How it's found
- ·Based on symptoms, D-dimer, CT angiography, lung /perfusion scan
Treatment
- ·Anticoagulants (heparin, , DOACs), thrombolysis, thrombectomy
Complications
- ·Passing out, abnormally low blood pressure, sudden death; thromboembolic (long-term complication)
More in Lungs
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See all of Lungs →Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.