Question 1

what causes pulmonary embolism?

Accepted Answer

Small clot fragments: Common cause is separation of small clots in the venous system (such as the leg, etc) which return to heart and lodge in the lungs.  Trauma, some infections, varicose veins with poor draining, phlebitis are recognized as common causes of the clotting.

Question 2

how lethal is a pulmonary embolism?

Accepted Answer

Variable: Some are subtle, and escape detection.
Others are instantly lethal.

Full range in between.
Cause, size , degree of lung obstructed as well as pre embolic patient condition can cause variation.

Question 3

how bad is a pulmonary embolism pe?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Usually after treatment should be fine.

Question 4

could pulmonary embolism 'go away'?

Accepted Answer

Yes....: A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in the blood vessels in the lung. Symptoms range from no symptoms to death, depending in the size and location of the blood clot. Once the blood clot is no longer increasing in size, the body's own system will "heal" the clot by reabsorbing it. Blood thinners allow this to happen, by making it impossible for the blood clot to continue to increase in size.

Question 5

how harmful is a pulmonary embolism?

Accepted Answer

Depends on size: If the clot goes to many areas of the lungs or to main arteries and block them as the blood comes out of the heart, there can be no flow of blood and can be fatal, in term of areas, the clot also blocks flow and prevents oxygenation of blood. So large clots can obstruct flow and can be fatal.

Question 6

how to die from a pulmonary embolism?

Accepted Answer

Several mechanisms: The loss of effectively gas-exchanging lung. The strain on the right ventricle. Breakdown products of the thrombus causing wheezing. The vagal reflex from the stretched pulmonary artery. Atelectasis of the underperfused lung and the opportunity for infection. VQ mismatch of course. Complete or near-complete occlusion by one or more large emboli.

Question 7

what are the signs of pulmonary embolism?

Accepted Answer

Multiple: There are several sings icluding tachycardia, respiratory distress,  ekg changes, sings of right venticular failure such as elevated venous pressure and sometimes swelling in the legs.

Question 8

how do you diagnose a  pulmonary embolism?

Accepted Answer

Imaging study: Either an angiogram or lung scan can be used.  A noninvasive angiogram with a ct scan is most common today.

Question 9

what increases risk of pulmonary embolism?

Accepted Answer

Large proximal DVT: Pulmonary embolus pe could be a clot , air bubble, fat or foreign body . Most commonly a clot, which typically travel from a deep vein thrombosis DVT usually from the legs. The larger the DVT and the more proximal then the more chance of pe . So DVT below the knee rarely causes pe while DVT in thigh veins and iliac veins in the abdomen are at highest risk.

Question 10

can small children get pulmonary embolism?

Accepted Answer

Uncommon but fatal: It is rare. If it happens in children, it can be very dangerous.

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Pulmonary embolism

A member asked:

What causes pulmonary embolism?

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How lethal is a pulmonary embolism?

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How bad is a pulmonary embolism pe?

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Could pulmonary embolism 'go away'?

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How harmful is a pulmonary embolism?

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How to die from a pulmonary embolism?

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What are the signs of pulmonary embolism?

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How do you diagnose a pulmonary embolism?

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What increases risk of pulmonary embolism?

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Can small children get pulmonary embolism?

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