Pulmonary embolism is caused by what?

Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
Updated on September 09, 2024
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The most common cause of pulmonary embolism is a thrombus, with approximately 70%-95% of cases occurring when a deep vein thrombosis dislodges and enters the pulmonary arteries and their branches via the bloodstream, leading to pulmonary embolism. Conditions such as prolonged bed rest or immobilization of the lower limbs can lead to the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis. Therefore, the primary site of origin is mainly the deep veins of the lower limbs. Additionally, other types of emboli can also cause pulmonary embolism, such as fat emboli, air emboli, amniotic fluid emboli, parasitic emboli, and bacterial emboli, as well as detachment of cardiac tumors; all these can lead to pulmonary embolism.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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What are the precursors of pulmonary embolism?

Pulmonary embolism is also relatively common in clinical practice. Its precursors may include varying degrees of respiratory difficulty, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, among others. If such symptoms occur, medical attention should be sought promptly, primarily to rule out the possibility of acute myocardial infarction. Pulmonary artery CTA can further confirm whether there is a pulmonary embolism. In cases of extensive pulmonary embolism, there is a high risk of sudden death, and aggressive thrombolytic and anticoagulation treatments should be administered. If the patient's chest tightness and shortness of breath are relieved after the aforementioned treatments, hospitalization for observation and treatment is still necessary.

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Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
48sec home-news-image

Pulmonary embolism is caused by what?

The most common cause of pulmonary embolism is a thrombus, with approximately 70%-95% of cases occurring when a deep vein thrombosis dislodges and enters the pulmonary arteries and their branches via the bloodstream, leading to pulmonary embolism. Conditions such as prolonged bed rest or immobilization of the lower limbs can lead to the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis. Therefore, the primary site of origin is mainly the deep veins of the lower limbs. Additionally, other types of emboli can also cause pulmonary embolism, such as fat emboli, air emboli, amniotic fluid emboli, parasitic emboli, and bacterial emboli, as well as detachment of cardiac tumors; all these can lead to pulmonary embolism.

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Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
1min 35sec home-news-image

How long does the treatment for pulmonary embolism take?

The timing of pulmonary embolism treatment mainly depends on the severity of the pulmonary embolism. The main goals of pulmonary embolism treatment are to save lives by addressing life-threatening right heart dysfunction and obstructive shock caused by the pulmonary embolism, to re-establish pulmonary vascular patency, restore lung tissue perfusion, and prevent the recurrence of pulmonary embolism. Main treatment methods include: respiratory and circulatory support, anticoagulation, thrombolysis, interventional or surgical removal of blood clots, placement of inferior vena cava filters, etc. General management: Patients who are highly suspected or diagnosed with pulmonary embolism should be closely monitored, tracking changes in respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, venous pressure, electrocardiogram, and blood gases to prevent the dislodgement of clots again. Absolute bed rest is required, and care should be taken not to overly bend the lower limbs, maintain bowel regularity, and avoid straining. For patients experiencing anxiety and panic symptoms, reassurance should be provided, along with appropriate use of sedatives. If there is chest pain, analgesics may be administered. For symptoms like fever and cough, corresponding symptomatic treatments should be given. To prevent lung infections and treat phlebitis, antibiotics may be used. Additionally, support treatments for respiratory and circulatory functions, as well as anticoagulation therapy, should be provided.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Early symptoms of pulmonary embolism

In the early stages of pulmonary embolism, symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and decreased oxygen saturation can occur. Early signs may include chest pain, as chest pain is often an initial symptom of pulmonary embolism. Sometimes the pain can be severe, and some patients may experience coughing, dry cough, and even cough up blood. There may also be symptoms of short exhalation and difficulty breathing, especially in patients with main trunk blockages, where the difficulty in breathing can be very pronounced. In more severe cases, some may experience fainting, suddenly collapsing while walking.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Why can't patients with pulmonary embolism get out of bed?

Pulmonary embolism is a relatively common clinical disease, with many and complex inducing factors. The most common cause of pulmonary embolism in patients is due primarily to thrombi dislodging from the veins of the lower limbs or the pelvic deep veins, traveling through the bloodstream to the pulmonary arteries, thus causing the disease. Therefore, bed rest is essential during the acute phase of pulmonary embolism. The purpose of bed rest is to prevent further embolisms, to avoid the dislodging of pelvic or lower limb deep vein thrombi, which could lead to the formation of new thrombi. Therefore, for patients with pulmonary embolism, it is crucial to provide timely treatments such as thrombolysis to control the clinical symptoms caused by the pulmonary embolism effectively.