PULMONARY EMBOLISM
- Definition: A blockage of an artery in the lungs by a substance that has traveled from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream.
Causes:
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Pulmonary valve disease
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Congenital anomalies of the heart or lungs
- Cancer
- Trauma
- Surgery
Pathophysiology:
- A blood clot forms in a vein, usually in the legs
- The clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs
- The clot blocks the flow of blood through the pulmonary artery
- The lungs do not receive enough oxygen, leading to respiratory distress
Types:
- Massive pulmonary embolism: blockage of a large artery in the lung
- Submassive pulmonary embolism: blockage of a medium-sized artery in the lung
- Small pulmonary embolism: blockage of a small artery in the lung
- Multiple pulmonary embolism: blockage of multiple small arteries in the lung
Clinical Features:
- Sudden onset of shortness of breath
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Coughing up blood or pink frothy mucus
- Rapid or shallow breathing
- Blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes (cyanosis)
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Weakness or fatigue
- Confusion or loss of consciousness
Diagnostic Modalities:
- Chest X-ray
- Computed Tomography (CT) scan
- Pulmonary Angiography
- Echocardiography
- Ventilation-Perfusion scan
Investigations:
- D-dimer test
- Prothrombin time (PT)
- Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
- Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Complications:
- Respiratory failure
- Cardiac arrest
- Shock
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Recurrent pulmonary embolism
Management:
- Anticoagulation therapy
- Thrombolytic therapy
- Surgical removal of the clot (thrombectomy)
- Oxygen therapy
- Mechanical ventilation
- Cardiac monitoring
Treatment:
- Heparin
- Warfarin
- Low molecular weight heparin
- Thrombin inhibitors
- Antiplatelet agents
- Aspirin
Homoeopathic Therapeutic Medicines:
- Arnica Montana: for pain and inflammation
- Belladonna: for fever and respiratory symptoms
- Bryonia: for cough and respiratory symptoms
- Calcarea carbonica: for fatigue and weakness
- Nux vomica: for nausea and vomiting
- Phosphorus: for respiratory symptoms and fatigue
- Sanguinaria: for respiratory symptoms and fatigue
- Silica: for pain and inflammation