Pulmonary Embolism

What is a pulmonary embolism?

• A blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs

What are the causes?

• In most cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by a blood clot in the leg that breaks loose and travels to the lungs. Having blood clots in deep veins (deep vein thrombosis) can lead to pulmonary embolism.

Symptoms

• Shortness of breath- gets worse with exertion
• Chest pain
• Cough- may produce bloody/blood streaked sputum

Treatment option: Medication

• Blood thinners (anticoagulants)- this drug prevents new clots from forming while your body works to break up the clots

Treatment Option: Surgery

• Clot removal: option typically given to people with very large, life-threatening clots in their lungs. It is removed via catheter threaded through your blood vessel

Treatment Option: Surgery

• Clot removal: option typically given to people with very large, life-threatening clots in their lungs. It is removed via catheter threaded through your blood vessel

Treatment Option: Surgery

• Vein filter: this procedure is typically reserved for people who can't tale anticoagulant drugs or they won't work fast enough

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