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Respiratory Disease

Pulmonary Embolism

What is pulmonary embolism?

Pulmonary embolism, a severe and life-threatening condition, is the blocking of the pulmonary artery by foreign matter such as:

Conditions that may contribute to pulmonary embolism include:

What are the symptoms of pulmonary embolism?

Signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism may be similar to those of a heart attack or a lung disorder such as pneumonia. Although each person may experience symptoms differently, the following are the most common symptoms for pulmonary embolism:

The symptoms of pulmonary embolism may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Consult your doctor for a diagnosis.

How is pulmonary embolism diagnosed?

Pulmonary embolism is difficult to diagnose. Non-invasive tests cannot be used in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Often, the physician must eliminate the possibility of other lung diseases, before determining that the condition is pulmonary embolism. A test called V/Q scan, a nuclear ventilation-perfusion study of the lungs, may be used, as well as a pulmonary angiography. New diagnostic methods are being studied.

Treatment for pulmonary embolism:

Specific treatment will be determined by your doctor(s) based on:

The immediate treatment for pulmonary embolism is anticoagulant therapy to dissolve the clot and return blood flow. Oxygen and sedatives also be used to make the patient comfortable.  Surgery to remove the embolism may also be performed.


This page was last updated on: June 7, 2006.

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