Pulmonary Embolism

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Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary Embolism often abbreviated as (PE) is a state in which the pulmonary artery obstructs due to clotting of blood or any other body material. When a blood clot forms in one of the body’s veins, it can break off and enter the circulatory system and travel. This blood clot becomes stuck in a branch of the pulmonary artery. The condition blocks the artery that ensures blood is supplied to some parts of the lung. This obstruction decreases blood supply and the air exchange to the lung tissue causing it to collapse. A doctor should always consider a pulmonary embolus when a patient complains of chest pain and the shortage of breath since it is life-threatening.
The common signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolus are; chest pains that deteriorate when taking a deep breath, a cough with bloody sputum, and difficulty in breathing. Depending on the amount of blood clot, other abnormal signs may show pulmonary embolus; high heart rate, high breathing rate, declining blood pressure, and bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes. The risk factors associated with pulmonary embolus are; prolonged control in the regular bloodstream, hypercoagulability, and impairment to the walls of the veins.
According to Authors/Task Force Members et al (3034), a doctor will always take tests to diagnose pulmonary embolus. The tests are mainly different physical checkups which concentrate on the how the heart and lungs operate.

There is a necessity testing of electrolytes, chest x-ray, creatinine blood test, complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen, and electrocardiogram. Echocardiography.Venous Doppler study is done to look for the blood clot in the legs of a patient.Ventilation-perfusion scan, CT scan of the chest, d-Dimmer blood test, and pulmonary angiogram. The best treatment for pulmonary embolism is prevention by reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Other therapies are through anticoagulation which avoids development of blood clot hence preventing more lung tissues from being affected.
Work Cited
Authors/Task Force Members, et al. “2014 ESC Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of
acute pulmonary embolism: The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Endorsed by the European Respiratory Society (ERS).” European heart journal 35.43 (2014): 3033-3073.