Thrombi, or blood clots, are due to hypercoagulation. A national incidence of 0.6/1000/year was reported by a Swedish study done in 2005. The European guidelines for the diagnosis and management of PE report annual incidence rates of venous thrombosis and PE of approximately 0.5 to 1. Up to 2.6% of persons with PE and up to 71.4% in patient with distal DVT are asymptomatic. Prevalence/Incidence of PE Īfter myocardial infarction (MI) and cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), PE follows as the third leading cause of cardiovascular death. In rare cases, occlusion of the pulmonary artery can also occur due to non-thrombotic materials such as air, fat, amniotic fluid, bone, and organ fragments. Cardiac muscle dysfunction ensues, and the heart ceases to pump blood. Consequently, there is eventual right heart failure, followed by the left side of the heart due to decrease in blood volume and coronary perfusion to the left ventricle. In the latter case, pulmonary embolism causes wasted ventilation as it increases the alveoli dead space, resulting in a ventilation-perfusion mismatch and an increase in pulmonary artery pressures and right ventricular work. A small blockage of the pulmonary artery may not provoke symptoms, while a large embolus can be fatal. The patient's initial cardiorespiratory status, and size and number of emboli affects the severity of changes in pulmonary blood flow and respiration. Thrombus formation occurs due to stasis in the deep veins, especially at the calf. The condition is a medical emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to ensure patient survival. Once dislodged, the thrombus travels to the lungs where it occludes the pulmonary artery. In most cases, a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) forms in the leg. Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage of one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |