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    Pulmonary Embolism: Pathophysiology

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    Trisha Vergara
    Pulmonary embolism is a potentially deadly medical emergency caused by a blood clot blocking a pulmonary vessel in the lungs, preventing gas exchange. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, immobility, oral contraceptives, and cardiac issues. Signs and symptoms include hypoxemia, chest pain, dyspnea, tachypnea, tachycardia, and anxiety. Diagnostics include a positive D-dimer test, with a normal range of 68-494 ng/dL. Treatments include anticoagulants like heparin and warfarin, and thrombolytics like tPA that break up blood clots.

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    Pulmonary Embolism: Pathophysiology

    Uploaded by

    Trisha Vergara
    568 views1 page
    Pulmonary embolism is a potentially deadly medical emergency caused by a blood clot blocking a pulmonary vessel in the lungs, preventing gas exchange. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, immobility, oral contraceptives, and cardiac issues. Signs and symptoms include hypoxemia, chest pain, dyspnea, tachypnea, tachycardia, and anxiety. Diagnostics include a positive D-dimer test, with a normal range of 68-494 ng/dL. Treatments include anticoagulants like heparin and warfarin, and thrombolytics like tPA that break up blood clots.

    Original Description:

    PE - Pulmonary Embolism

    Original Title

    PE - Pulmonary Embolism

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    Pulmonary embolism is a potentially deadly medical emergency caused by a blood clot blocking a pulmonary vessel in the lungs, preventing gas exchange. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, immobility, oral contraceptives, and cardiac issues. Signs and symptoms include hypoxemia, chest pain, dyspnea, tachypnea, tachycardia, and anxiety. Diagnostics include a positive D-dimer test, with a normal range of 68-494 ng/dL. Treatments include anticoagulants like heparin and warfarin, and thrombolytics like tPA that break up blood clots.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    568 views1 page

    Pulmonary Embolism: Pathophysiology

    Uploaded by

    Trisha Vergara
    Pulmonary embolism is a potentially deadly medical emergency caused by a blood clot blocking a pulmonary vessel in the lungs, preventing gas exchange. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, immobility, oral contraceptives, and cardiac issues. Signs and symptoms include hypoxemia, chest pain, dyspnea, tachypnea, tachycardia, and anxiety. Diagnostics include a positive D-dimer test, with a normal range of 68-494 ng/dL. Treatments include anticoagulants like heparin and warfarin, and thrombolytics like tPA that break up blood clots.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 1

    Respiratory

    Pulmonary Embolism

    Pathophysiology
    Deadly PRIORITY medical emergency! PE is a blood clot that obstructs
    a pulmonary vessel (blood vessel inside the lung), typically the pulmonary
    artery. This blockage prevents blood flow to the Alveoli where gas
    exchange is supposed to happen, eventually leading to DEADLY
    hypoxemia (deadly low oxygen).
    Highest Priority
    • Impaired gas exchange r/t imbalance of ventilation & perfusion
    Causes:
    Typically caused from a DVT blood clot that loosens from another
    part of the body (typically the leg) & gets sucked into lungs
    - causing a blockage.

    Risk Factors
    • Smoking, Obesity, Immobility, & even cardiac issues like Atrial
    Fibrillation or valve disorders. Memory Trick
    • Estrogen birth control “oral contraceptives” MOST TESTED
    leads to increased risk for blood clots E - Estrogen
    SMOKING OBESITY IMMOBILITY
    E - Emboli (blood clots)

    Diagnostics:
    Signs & Symptoms:
    • High D dimer - High risk for blood clots
    #1 in the body
    #1 Sign = Hypoxemia 0₂

    0₂
    Memory trick:
    0₂

    1. Restless 0₂

    2. Agitation
    • D - Dimer (Positive)
    • D - Dime sized clot in body
    3. Mental status change
    Chest pain HESI Question

    Dyspnea & SOB Indications for pulmonary embolism


    Tachypnea include...
    68- 494
    Tachycardia 0₂ 0₂
    Positive D-Dimer
    Normal range 68- 494 ng/dL)
    ng/dL

    Anxiety
    0₂ 0₂

    Pharmacology
    Treatments
    Pharmacology Surgery
    Anticoagulants
    • Embolectomy: surgical removal of
    Heparin
    the clot
    Warfarin • Vena Cava filter: acts like a net to catch
    Thrombolytics any new clots
    tPA Thrombolytics
    B - Bolytics
    B - Clot Busters
    Alteplase
    Streptokinase

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