Pulmonary Embolism – Diagnosis & Treatment

Pulmonary embolism is usually tough to diagnose, particularly in folks who have an underlying heart or respiratory organ illness. For that reason, your doctor can probably discuss your symptoms, do a physical examination, and order one or more tests for confirming the diagnosis.

Blood tests that may include

o   The D-dimer [clot-dissolving substance] test

o   High levels of D-dimer indicate an exaggerated chance of blood clots, though several other factors may also cause high D-Dimer

o   ABG analysis to know the status of oxygen and carbon dioxide [CO2] in your blood. A clot can decrease the oxygen levels in your blood.

o   To assess the clotting disorder [if any]

Chest X-ray

This noninvasive check shows pictures of your heart and lungs on film. Though X-rays cannot diagnose embolism, however, they will help rule out other conditions that mimic the illness.

Ultrasound

A noninvasive check called duplex imaging (sometimes referred to as duplex scan or compression ultrasonography) uses sound waves to scan the veins in your thigh, knee, and calf, and typically in your arms, to visualize for deep vein blood clots.

The absence of clots reduces the chance of deep vein occlusion. If clots are present then the treatment is started right away.

CT pulmonary angiography

CT pulmonary angiography creates 3D pictures that may discover abnormalities like embolism inside the arteries in your lungs. In some cases, a contrast medium is given intravenously so to stipulate the respiratory organ arteries while scanning.

Ventilation-perfusion scan (V/Q scan)

When there's a requirement to avoid radiation exposure or distinction from a CT scan because of a medical condition, a V/Q scan could also be performed. During this check, a tracer is injected into a vein in your arm. The tracer maps blood flow (perfusion) and compares it with the flow of air to your lungs (ventilation) and may confirm whether or not blood clots are inflicting symptoms.

Pulmonary Angiogram

This check provides a transparent image of the blood flow within the arteries of your lungs. it is the most correct way to diagnose embolism, however, it needs a high degree of precision to administer and has probably serious risks, it's always performed once alternative tests fail to produce a definitive diagnosis.

MRI

MRI may be a medical imaging technique that uses a force field and computer-generated radio waves to form elaborate pictures of the organs and tissues in your body. This imaging is typically reserved for pregnant ladies (to avoid radiation to the fetus) and people whose kidneys are damaged by dyes utilized in other tests.

Treatment

Treatment of embolism is aimed toward keeping the blood clot from getting larger and preventing new clots from forming. Prompt treatment is crucial to stop serious complications or death.

Medications

Medications embrace different kinds of blood thinners and clot dissolvers.

o   Blood thinners (anticoagulants).

These medications stop existing clots from enlarging and new clots from forming whereas your body works to interrupt the clots. Heparin is the most common anticoagulant that can be given through the vein or injected under the skin.

o   Clot dissolvers (thrombolytics).

Whereas clots sometimes dissolve on their own, typically thrombolytics given through the vein will dissolve clots quickly. The clot-busting medications can cause severe bleeding, they are reserved for life-threatening conditions.

Surgical and alternative procedures

o   Clot removal. If you have got a massive, dangerous clot in your lungs, your doctor might consider removing it via a skinny, versatile tube (catheter) through your blood vessels.

o   Vein filter. A filter is positioned in inferior vena cava, a vein that leads from your legs to the right side of your heart. This filter will facilitate keep clots from going to your lungs. This procedure is often reserved for folks that cannot take anticoagulant medication or have had continual clots formation despite the use of anticoagulants. Some filters will be removed when they are no longer needed.

Ongoing care

Because you'll be in danger of another deep vein occlusion or embolism, it is very important to continue treatment, like remaining on blood thinners and be monitored frequently as advised by your doctor.