Pulmonary Embolism

Question 1

Name some strong risk factors for PE

Answer 1

DVT (45-50% have this.
Immobility (bed rest, hospitalisation, limb paralysis)
Surgery within last 2 months (especially orthopedic)
Previous VTE
Cancer
Recent MI
Trauma, fracture (recent)
Pregnancy, post partum (especially in 6 weeks after)
Family history VTE
Age
Smoking
Travel
Obesity
HRT/Combined pill
Indwelling central vein catheter

Question 2

Comorbiities for PE

Answer 2

Behcets, chronic dialysis, copd, congestive heart failure, diabetes, IBD, myeloproliferatove disorders, sepsis, superficial venous thrombosis, varicose veins.

Question 3

What are the onset of symptoms typically like in PE?

Answer 3

Sudden

Question 4

Most common symptom of PE

Answer 4

Dyspnoea

Question 5

Other symptoms of PE

Answer 5

Haemoptysis, pleuritic pain, could be localised to one side, syncope and pre syncope, tachypnoea, features of DVT

Question 6

Signs of PE