4 May 2021
When one of the pulmonary arteries is obstructed by a blood clot, we have a pulmonary embolism. These clots do not originate in the lungs, they generally come from the deep veins of the lower limbs or other body areas, traveling to the pulmonary arteries.
By not receiving blood, the affected lung areas collapse, causing pulmonary infarctions where breathing is compromised, ceasing to oxygenate the blood that goes to the rest of the body, so, if immediate treatment is not received, the consequences can be fatal.
Although deep vein thrombosis is the main cause of pulmonary embolism, there are also blockages caused by other agents such as:
The best way to prevent pulmonary embolism is to prevent blood clots from forming in the legs, so you should exercise daily, eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of fluids, avoid prolonged periods of inactivity, and if you are at risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, take medical treatment that includes anticoagulants, compression stockings, and frequent elevation of the legs.
Certain potential risks increase the chances of forming blood clots that cause a pulmonary embolism, such as:
Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and order tests such as blood tests, chest x-rays, ultrasound, pulmonary angiography, computed tomography, ventilation and perfusion scan, as well as MRI.
Once the diagnosis has been established and the thrombi or clots are located, the purpose of the treatment is to dissolve the existing ones and prevent the formation of new ones, for which you will be given thrombolytics and anticoagulants.
If the clots are considerable in size, surgical removal of the clots with a catheter or placement of a filter in the superior vena cava will be necessary to prevent the thrombi from reaching the lungs.
It is important to continue treatment for as long as the doctor indicates, as well as to undergo regular check-ups to avoid the development of new episodes of deep vein thrombosis.
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