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Pulmonary embolism
Can a pulmonary embolism be detected by a CT scan?
CT can detect acute pulmonary embolism, using CT angiography, which is the preferred imaging method for diagnosing pulmonary embolisms. It mainly shows central filling defects, as well as eccentric and abdominal wall filling defects, and complete filling defects. A diagnosis of pulmonary embolism can be made through the visualization of these filling defects on a CT scan. Additionally, some indirect signs, such as pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular enlargement, and the common mosaic sign, can also be observed. These are characteristic CT manifestations of acute pulmonary embolism.
Why does pulmonary embolism cause cardiac arrest?
The mechanisms causing cardiac arrest due to acute pulmonary embolism mainly encompass several aspects. One is a large-scale acute extensive pulmonary embolism, which prevents the blood from being ejected from the right heart, potentially leading to acute right heart failure. At this time, the entire body's blood circulation will encounter issues. Another scenario is that following the pulmonary embolism, it causes severe hypoxia. This hypoxia can lead to oxygen deficiency in all organs of the body, including the heart. The coronary arteries that supply nutrients to the heart can also become ischemic. Both of these factors can cause the heartbeat to lead to sudden cardiac arrest. These are the primary mechanisms that can cause a sudden stop in the heartbeat.
What are the precursors of pulmonary embolism?
Pulmonary embolism is also relatively common in clinical practice. Its precursors may include varying degrees of respiratory difficulty, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, among others. If such symptoms occur, medical attention should be sought promptly, primarily to rule out the possibility of acute myocardial infarction. Pulmonary artery CTA can further confirm whether there is a pulmonary embolism. In cases of extensive pulmonary embolism, there is a high risk of sudden death, and aggressive thrombolytic and anticoagulation treatments should be administered. If the patient's chest tightness and shortness of breath are relieved after the aforementioned treatments, hospitalization for observation and treatment is still necessary.
Pulmonary embolism belongs to which department?
Pulmonary embolism mainly refers to the detachment of thrombi in the blood, leading to the obstruction of the main trunk of the pulmonary artery and its branches, causing a series of syndromes. Pulmonary embolism is an emergency in clinical practice. If the patient's circulation becomes unstable after the embolism, thrombolytic therapy should be considered. If the patient's respiratory circulation remains stable after the embolism, anticoagulation therapy can be considered. In clinical practice, pulmonary embolism is primarily diagnosed through pulmonary artery CTA examination to further clarify the diagnosis, and patients generally consult the respiratory medicine department.
How long does the treatment for pulmonary embolism take?
The timing of pulmonary embolism treatment mainly depends on the severity of the pulmonary embolism. The main goals of pulmonary embolism treatment are to save lives by addressing life-threatening right heart dysfunction and obstructive shock caused by the pulmonary embolism, to re-establish pulmonary vascular patency, restore lung tissue perfusion, and prevent the recurrence of pulmonary embolism. Main treatment methods include: respiratory and circulatory support, anticoagulation, thrombolysis, interventional or surgical removal of blood clots, placement of inferior vena cava filters, etc. General management: Patients who are highly suspected or diagnosed with pulmonary embolism should be closely monitored, tracking changes in respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, venous pressure, electrocardiogram, and blood gases to prevent the dislodgement of clots again. Absolute bed rest is required, and care should be taken not to overly bend the lower limbs, maintain bowel regularity, and avoid straining. For patients experiencing anxiety and panic symptoms, reassurance should be provided, along with appropriate use of sedatives. If there is chest pain, analgesics may be administered. For symptoms like fever and cough, corresponding symptomatic treatments should be given. To prevent lung infections and treat phlebitis, antibiotics may be used. Additionally, support treatments for respiratory and circulatory functions, as well as anticoagulation therapy, should be provided.
Can pulmonary embolism lead to pneumonia?
Pulmonary embolism itself does not cause pneumonia; however, during the treatment of pulmonary embolism, procedures such as oral tracheal intubation and the creation of an artificial airway might be employed. These can lead to nosocomial infections of iatrogenic origin, resulting in pneumonia. Pulmonary embolism often manifests as unexplained respiratory difficulty, pleuritic pain, tachycardia, and decreased oxygen saturation. Other high-risk factors include being over the age of 40, having a history of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), obesity, prolonged immobilization, stroke, congestive heart failure, malignancy, lower limb fracture, anesthesia time exceeding 30 minutes during surgery, pregnancy and childbirth, use of estrogen, and a hypercoagulable state. These are all potential high-risk factors for pulmonary embolism.
Pulmonary Embolism Interventional Treatment Methods
Interventional treatment for pulmonary embolism is mainly used for large pulmonary embolisms in the main trunk or major branches of the pulmonary artery. It is applicable in the following scenarios: contraindications to thrombolysis and anticoagulation therapy, inefficacy after thrombolysis or aggressive medical treatment, or lack of surgical conditions. Interventional therapy for pulmonary embolism can involve removing the embolus or breaking it into fragments, allowing it to move to the distal pulmonary arteries, thereby opening the central pulmonary arteries, rapidly reducing pulmonary artery resistance, significantly increasing total pulmonary blood flow, improving cardiopulmonary hemodynamics, and right ventricular function. The treatment involves catheter fragmentation and suction of large clots in the pulmonary artery or performing balloon angioplasty, and it also enables local administration of small-dose thrombolysis. These are the primary methods of interventional treatment for pulmonary embolism.
What should I do if I have pulmonary embolism and asthma?
Pulmonary embolism is a very common type of disease clinically, and its triggering factors are numerous and complex. For such patients, the main triggering factors are usually the detachment of thrombi from the pelvic deep veins and the lower limb deep veins, leading to pulmonary artery embolism. Therefore, the clinical symptoms that appear in these patients are mainly difficulty breathing, chest tightness, chest pain, and some patients may experience coughing, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, and even wheezing. Thus, for such patients, it is first necessary to clarify the cause of the disease, and then provide the patient with oxygen, thrombolysis, anticoagulation, and other symptomatic treatments. Usually, after effective symptomatic treatment, when the embolism location is effectively controlled, the symptoms of wheezing and air blockage that the patient experiences will also be significantly improved.
Pulmonary embolism means
The formation of thrombotic foreign bodies in the human venous system or the right atrium and ventricle system, ultimately leading to the blockage in the pulmonary artery, is referred to as pulmonary embolism. After the onset of pulmonary embolism, patients may experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, and even coughing up blood. It is crucial to immediately conduct a pulmonary artery CTA scan for further diagnosis. If the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is confirmed, thrombolytic or interventional treatments can be considered.
Pulmonary embolism is caused by what?
The most common cause of pulmonary embolism is a thrombus, with approximately 70%-95% of cases occurring when a deep vein thrombosis dislodges and enters the pulmonary arteries and their branches via the bloodstream, leading to pulmonary embolism. Conditions such as prolonged bed rest or immobilization of the lower limbs can lead to the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis. Therefore, the primary site of origin is mainly the deep veins of the lower limbs. Additionally, other types of emboli can also cause pulmonary embolism, such as fat emboli, air emboli, amniotic fluid emboli, parasitic emboli, and bacterial emboli, as well as detachment of cardiac tumors; all these can lead to pulmonary embolism.