Pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage of an <a href="/facts/Pulmonary_artery/86j5Jc7D">artery in the lungs</a> by a substance that has moved from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (<a href="/facts/Embolism/A8BD4RoI">embolism</a>). Symptoms of a PE may include <a href="/facts/Dyspnea/1jBfFzxU">shortness of breath</a>, <a href="/facts/Chest_pain/QFUzPBsT">chest pain</a> particularly upon breathing in, and <a href="/facts/Coughing_up_blood/TaMFrtx6">coughing up blood</a>. Symptoms of a <a href="/facts/Deep_vein_thrombosis/vX7cGv8J">blood clot in the leg</a> may also be present, such as a <a href="/facts/Erythema/VUsgXRlB">red</a>, warm, swollen, and painful leg. Signs of a PE include low blood <a href="/facts/Oxygen_saturation/UVhwuc26">oxygen levels</a>, <a href="/facts/Tachypnea/G220HYhe">rapid breathing</a>, <a href="/facts/Tachycardia/ycmyzP7q">rapid heart rate</a>, and sometimes a mild <a href="/facts/Fever/waVxR2Ac">fever</a>. Severe cases can lead to <a href="/facts/Syncope_(medicine)/AqU1whYh">passing out</a>, <a href="/facts/Shock_(circulatory)/aIKGDS0e">abnormally low blood pressure</a>, <a href="/facts/Obstructive_shock/t17mh00C">obstructive shock</a>, and <a href="/facts/Cardiac_arrest/HIAm9AWX">sudden death</a>.
PE usually results from a blood clot in the leg that travels to the lung. The risk of <a href="/facts/Blood_clot/vH6FDIQG">blood clots</a> is increased by <a href="/facts/Advanced_age/nEpQmo9g">advanced age</a>, <a href="/facts/Cancer/PVW6n1D0">cancer</a>, prolonged <a href="/facts/Bed_rest/etHddkdn">bed rest</a> and immobilization, <a href="/facts/Smoking/byhnmD0X">smoking</a>, <a href="/facts/Stroke/DwpjdzY0">stroke</a>, long-haul <a href="/facts/Travel/6CqKImN7">travel</a> over 4 hours, certain <a href="/facts/Genetics/bu8wne0A">genetic</a> conditions, <a href="/facts/Hormone_replacement_therapy/d3KW80rn">estrogen-based medication</a>, <a href="/facts/Pregnancy/vEKYGpep">pregnancy</a>, <a href="/facts/Obesity/RBF9y5Vl">obesity</a>, trauma or <a href="/facts/Bone_fracture/faEv3Ve5">bone fracture</a>, and after some types of surgery. A small proportion of cases are due to the <a href="/facts/Embolization/zPNry9cY">embolization</a> of <a href="/facts/Air_embolism/DC00yS4z">air</a>, <a href="/facts/Fat_embolism/8JbwPzSy">fat</a>, or <a href="/facts/Amniotic_fluid_embolism/MTP1jC29">amniotic fluid</a>. Diagnosis is based on signs and symptoms in combination with test results. If the risk is low, a blood test known as a <a href="/facts/D-dimer/HnQAtALn">D-dimer</a> may rule out the condition. Otherwise, a <a href="/facts/CT_pulmonary_angiography/GRk4hkYY">CT pulmonary angiography</a>, <a href="/facts/Lung_ventilation%2fperfusion_scan/PxMVR85U">lung ventilation/perfusion scan</a>, or <a href="/facts/Ultrasound/31Pa5IH9">ultrasound</a> of the legs may confirm the diagnosis. Together, <a href="/facts/Deep_vein_thrombosis/vX7cGv8J">deep vein thrombosis</a> and PE are known as <a href="/facts/Venous_thromboembolism/oQAalgo3">venous thromboembolism</a> (VTE).
Efforts to prevent PE include beginning to move as soon as possible after surgery, lower leg exercises during periods of sitting, and the use of <a href="/facts/Anticoagulant/cARpjm0G">blood thinners</a> after some types of surgery. Treatment is with anticoagulant medications such as <a href="/facts/Heparin/4lxSm2pB">heparin</a>, <a href="/facts/Warfarin/kMnH6tb0">warfarin</a>, or one of the <a href="/facts/Direct-acting_oral_anticoagulants/cARpjm0G">direct-acting oral anticoagulants</a> (DOACs). These are recommended to be taken for at least three months. However, treatment using low-molecular-weight heparin is not recommended for those at high risk of bleeding or those with renal failure. Severe cases may require <a href="/facts/Thrombolysis/6hUSmL3G">thrombolysis</a> using medication such as <a href="/facts/Tissue_plasminogen_activator/CQ94BqkJ">tissue plasminogen activator</a> (tPA) given intravenously or through a catheter, and some may require surgery (a <a href="/facts/Pulmonary_thrombectomy/hMUB7HD4">pulmonary thrombectomy</a>). If blood thinners are not appropriate or safe to use, a temporary <a href="/facts/Vena_cava_filter/7pTzk1B8">vena cava filter</a> may be used.
Pulmonary emboli affect about 430,000 people each year in Europe. In the United States, between 300,000 and 600,000 cases occur each year, which contribute to at least 40,000 deaths. Rates are similar in males and females. They become more common as people get older.

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Pulmonary embolism