Navigating Guidelines For Pulmonary Embolism Treatment

ByMrMed

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a medical emergency that necessitates timely and appropriate treatment to mitigate the life-threatening risk in individuals. It is estimated that approximately 33% of pulmonary embolism patients die before receiving proper treatment and diagnosis. However, the survival rate of pulmonary embolism patients can be significantly increased with prompt treatment and early diagnosis. Today, we are going to explore the various treatment options for pulmonary embolism.

What is Pulmonary Embolism?

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a disorder in which a blood clot forms in one of the blood vessels (leg or arm) that moves through the veins of your lungs. This restricted blood flow can lower your oxygen flow and increase the blood pressure in the lungs. It can damage the lungs and can increase the risk of heart failure in individuals.

How can I recognize the symptoms of pulmonary embolism?

Patients with pulmonary embolism often experience shortness of breath and chest pains, which will gradually worsen into severe symptoms, which are given below:

  1. Shortness of breath: Individuals may experience a sudden breathing difficulty when they are at rest or active.
  2. Fast breathing: Patients may experience a fast breathing or increased breathing rate.
  3. Pain: Individuals may experience a sudden sharp pain in the chest or around the arm, back, shoulder, neck, or jaw.
  4. Cough: Patients may have a cough with or without the bloody mucus. 
  5. Rapid heartbeat: Patients may experience an irregular or fast heartbeat.
  6. Excessive sweating: Individuals may experience abnormal sweating during the pulmonary embolism.

How can I diagnose PE?

Pulmonary embolism can be diagnosed in the following ways which are given below:

  1. Blood test: Blood tests like D-dimer test are helpful in diagnosing pulmonary embolism.
  2. Computed tomography (CT) angiogram: It is an imaging technique to view the blood vessels and tissues.
  3. Ultrasound: Ultrasound helps to identify the blood clot in the leg vein that connects through the lungs.
  4. Echocardiogram: ECG helps to identify the defects in the heart which were caused by the pulmonary embolism.
  5. Chest X-ray: Chest X-rays can help to identify the defect in the chest due to the pulmonary embolism.
  6. Pulse oximeter: Pulse oximeter is a device that helps to detect hypoxemia.

Effective Treatment Strategies For Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism can be treated in the following ways which are given below:

1. Medications:

  • Anticoagulants (blood thinners): Anticoagulants help decrease the ability to clot blood by making the blood thinner in PE patients. In this way, it is involved in preventing the formation of new blood clots and reduces the risk of expanding existing blood clots.  
  • Fibrinolytic agent: These medicines are usually given as intravenous therapy to break down blood clots in PE patients. Medications like urokinase (U-Frag 5000IU Injection) are involved in the dissolution of clots and help to restore blood flow in conditions like thrombosis, embolism, and stroke.

2. Procedures:

  • Catheter-directed thrombolysis: It is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the insertion of a catheter that helps to dissolve blood clots and improve the blood flow in the blood vessels. Thrombolytic medication is then directly delivered to dissolve the blood clot.
  • Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement: An IVC filter is a thin, flexible catheter placed within the individual’s body (inferior vena cava) to prevent blood clots. These can be used for patients who have a recurrent pulmonary embolism or for those who are unable to take the anticoagulant medication.
  • Percutaneous thrombectomy: Percutaneous thrombectomy is a medical procedure in which a catheter is inserted into the blood clotting site with the help of X-ray guidance.

3. Surgical Interventions:

  • Pulmonary embolectomy: Pulmonary embolectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the surgical removal of the blood clot that blocks the artery of the lungs. It is a rare procedure to treat large blood clots in PE patients. 
  • Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy: It is a surgical procedure that treats long-term blood clots in the artery of PE patients that cannot be treated by other procedures. It is indicated to treat chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), a complication of unresolved pulmonary embolism in which blood clots become organized and form scar tissue in the pulmonary arteries. 

Conclusion

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a crucial health concern that needs early diagnosis and appropriate treatment to reduce the risk associated with it. It’s important to remember that your doctor will reocmmend the best treatment based on the severity of the disease and your health condition at the time of treatment.