Pulmonary Embolism Flashcards
What is a Pulmonary Embolism?
A blockage within the pulmonary vascular system
Why are pulmonary embolisms dangerous?
- What can follow a PE?
- They may lead to a pulmonary infarction
- Alveoli become atelectic after embolus’s lodge into the vessel.
- Bronchial smooth muscle constriction
Etiology (set of causes) of pulmonary embolism in the body?
- What is the most common cause?
- Air
- Fat
- Amniotic fluid
- Neoplasmic
- Septic
Most common cause of PE = Deep vein Thrombosis (DVT)
How do fat embolisms form?
From fractures of long bones or pelvic bones
How could air or Amniotic fluid cause embolisms?
Air = IV lines or PA catheters
Amniotic fluid = anything that messes w/blood stream during labor, delivery, or placental removal
What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A condition where a blood clot (thrombus) forms in a deep vein, typically in the leg.
- the resulting embolism could break off into the bloodstream than the lungs causing resp. issues.
- Tx is usually blood thinning meds.
What are 3 main factors associated with the formation of deep vein thrombosis?
Virchows triad
- Hypercoagulability states
- Damage to the vessel wall
- venostasis
What is venostasis?
Slowing or stasis of venous blood flow (impaired blood flow or embolism formation).
- Seen in pts w/bed rest or prolonged inactivity.
What is the Virchow triad?
Describes the 3 conditions that can cause pulmonary embolisms:
- Hypercoagulability states
- Damage to the vessel walls
- Venostasis
What types of damage to the vessel walls would lead to a pulmonary embolism?
- Fractures
- Surgery
- Trauma
What would qualify as hypercoagulability states that would result in PE?
Tissue injury (surgery/trauma) resulting in increased levels of blood coagulation factors
Why is the formation of a venous embolus fatal/dangerous?
If a venous thrombus forms on the wall of a vein and is carried by the blood stream back to the lungs where it becomes lodged causing PE.
- aka slow culmination blockage at the lungs
Pts with PE have at least one of four of which symptoms?
- List them in decreasing order of frequency
- Sudden onset-dyspnea
- Chest pain
- Syncope (loss of consciences for a short time)
- Hemoptysis
What are the 3 complications other then PE that are at risk of occurring/associated with Venous stasis
- CHF
- Varicose veins
- Thrombophlebitis
4. Inactivity (prolonged bed rest or sitting)
What are Hypercoagulation disorders that are associated with pulmonary embolism [PE] as risk factors?
- Oral contraceptives
- Polycythemia
- Multiple myeloma (form of cancer or issues w/wbc)
