Pulmonary Embolism Flashcards
1
Q
What is a pulmonary embolism?
A
Blocked blood vessel in the lungs
2
Q
What are the risk factors for PE?
A
Inactivity/immobile Recent surgery Pregnancy Previous VTE COCP Long haul travel Cancer Heart failure Obesity HRT Family history
3
Q
How does PE present?
A
Dyspnoea Pleuritic chest pain Tachypnoea Cough Haemoptysis Unilateral leg pain Rales/decreased breath sounds
4
Q
What investigations are carried out?
A
ABG CXR ECG - S1, Q3, T3 D-dimer CTPA
5
Q
What is the management for PE?
A
ABCDE O2 if hypoxic Analgesia SC LMWH whilst awaiting CTPA Thrombolysis (alteplase) - massive PE Apixaban - non-massive PE
6
Q
What are the complications of PE?
A
Sudden cardiac death Obstructive shock Pulmonary infarction Pleural effusion Pulmonary hypertension Cor pulmonale
7
Q
What scoring system is used to determine how likely a PE is?
A
WELLS score
8
Q
What is a massive PE?
A
Haemodynamically unstable - systolic <90 for 15 mins
9
Q
What are the contraindications for alteplase?
A
Active bleeding
Known intracranial tumour
Risk of aortic dissection
