What is massive pulmonary embolism?

Massive pulmonary embolism indicates blocking in the artery of the lungs, either in the primary artery or one of its branches. The object that blocks the artery is referred to as embolus and prevents blood flow to the lungs and finally into the heart. Massive pulmonary embolism is 50% or more in the artery. Lung embolisms of any kind can be fatal. Most people who are killed by pulmonary embolics die during the first few hours after the event, which makes treatment particularly critical. The problem is that early symptoms can commonly be mistaken for other simple diseases and often do not affect.

In most cases, lung embolism is caused by a blood clot that comes from the feet and passes through the arteries into the lungs. This is called venoustromboembolism because thrombus is a blood clot. In rare cases, embolus is made of air, fat or amniotic fluid. Either way, embolus blocks blood flow that can lead to collapse, very low blood pressure and even death.

Symptoms of massive pulmonary embolism are difficulty breathing and heartbreaking heart. These early symptoms are often overlooked because they are not serious. Clinical symptoms of pulmonary embolism are fast heart rate and/or breathing, as well as saturation with low blood oxygen. Cyanosis is the main warning signal of pulmonary embolism in which their fingers and lips begin to embody.

The physician often performs tests to eliminate lung embolism in patients. It can order a CTPA, which means computer tomographic pulmonary angiogram. It is a medical diagnostic test that takes a picture of pulmonary arteries. The physician can then see is evident blocking. The blood test, which can also be administered, is called D-Dimer test and is looking for fragments of proteins that remain after blood dissolution.

Treatment of massive lung embolism may require surgery in very serious cases. This is called the pulmonary thrombectomy and is an emergency surgerywound blood clots from pulmonary arteries. If the condition is not considered life -threatening, drugs will usually be prescribed to ensure blood such as anticoagulant warfarin and heparin.