Pulmonary Embolism: Insight and Management
Understanding Pulmonary Embolism
A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, commonly due to blood clots that travel to the lungs from the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT).
Pathophysiology and Severity Grades
Pulmonary embolism arises when these clots impair blood flow to the lung tissue, potentially causing lung damage and reducing oxygen levels in the blood. Severity is gauged based on the clot size and resultant hemodynamic stability:
- Low-risk PE: Stable patients with minimal clot burden.
- Submassive PE: Patients stable but with right ventricular dysfunction.
- Massive PE: Unstable patients, often presenting with shock or hypotension.
Signs and Symptoms
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Chest pain that may become worse with deep breathing
- Cough, which may yield bloody or blood-streaked sputum
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
When to See Dr Hassan
Immediate medical evaluation is crucial for suspected PE due to its potential severity. Seeking Dr Syed Hassan’s evaluation is vital, especially after recurrent or severe occurrences.