Pulmonary embolism means

Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
Updated on September 11, 2024
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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.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
1min 2sec home-news-image

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.

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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Can pulmonary embolism cause bloating and abdominal distension?

Pulmonary embolism can, in rare cases, cause bloating and abdominal distension. The primary clinical manifestations of pulmonary embolism are chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Severe pulmonary embolism can also lead to a drop in blood pressure and sometimes may even cause the patient to faint. However, it is important to note that in severe cases of pulmonary embolism, patients may also experience abdominal distension. Patients with pulmonary embolism might also have acute pulmonary heart disease, which could include symptoms of gastrointestinal congestion. In such cases, patients may experience abdominal bloating. Additionally, there is a special condition known as chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, where patients may experience chronic pulmonary heart disease and chronic hypoxia, which can also lead to abdominal distension.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
1min 4sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms when pulmonary embolism becomes severe?

Pulmonary embolism can vary in severity, with serious cases primarily causing unstable vital signs. The disease primarily arises from venous thrombi in the venous system, which travel with the venous blood back to the right heart, and then with the blood flow from the right heart back to the aorta. If the thrombus is relatively large, it can easily become lodged in the pulmonary artery, forming a pulmonary embolism. The symptoms of pulmonary embolism can range from mild to severe. Based on the patient's symptoms and vital signs, pulmonary embolism is categorized into low risk, intermediate risk, and high risk. Low and intermediate risk typically indicate that the patient's vital signs are relatively stable, with normal blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse oximetry saturation. In severe cases, patients may exhibit noticeable symptoms such as coughing up blood, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, shock, and oliguria. These represent the more severe cases of pulmonary embolism.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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How to determine if a pulmonary embolism is acute or chronic?

Pulmonary embolism can be distinguished between acute and chronic based on the duration of the patient's illness, symptoms, and supplemental examinations. Typically, patients with acute pulmonary embolism have no prior similar symptoms and suddenly experience severe symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, and coughing up blood. Additionally, through supplemental examinations like blood tests, abdominal ultrasound, and pulmonary artery CT angiography, it is possible to determine whether the thrombus is fresh or old. In contrast, chronic pulmonary embolism often presents with prolonged symptoms. Patients usually do not experience chest pain or cough, and the main issue is chronic breathing difficulty. In severe cases, pulmonary heart disease may occur, and patients may have swelling in the face and limbs. Ultrasound and pulmonary artery CT angiography can reveal the characteristics of the thrombus, which differ from those seen in acute pulmonary embolism. Thus, these examinations can help determine whether the condition is acute or chronic.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Can a secondary recurrence of pulmonary embolism be treated?

Pulmonary embolism, even if it recurs for the second time, is treatable, but the approach should differ from the first recurrence. It's vital to determine the cause of the pulmonary embolism, although many patients with this condition do not have an identifiable cause. For such patients, long-term oral anticoagulants might be recommended. With long-term use of oral anticoagulants, the likelihood of thrombosis, especially in the venous system, significantly reduces. This means that the chance of recurrence in patients also decreases considerably. However, if the cause can be identified, it is better to address and eliminate it. For instance, if the cause is long-term use of oral contraceptives or the presence of varicose veins, these primary or secondary factors should be resolved. The treatment should not just focus on anticoagulation or thrombolytic therapy, as there could still be a possibility of a future pulmonary embolism recurrence.