Pulmonary Embolism

Question 1

epidemiology of pulmonary embolism?

Answer 1

117 per 100 000
mainly adults
350 000 every year (85 000 deaths).

Question 2

aetiology of pulmonary embolism

Answer 2

arises from thrombi in veins of leg/pelvis
risk = bed rest, immobility, not walking
atheroma/clots/hyperlipodemia
congestive heart disease/diabetes

Question 3

pathogenesis of pulmonary embolism

Answer 3

clots dislodgeand travel via Rheart to get lodged in pulmonary arteries

Question 4

natural history of pulmonary embolism

Answer 4

ishaemia/lung tissue death

death - 10 percent die within few hours

Question 5

symptoms of pulmonary embolism

Answer 5

often assymptomatic
acute dyspnea/plueritic chest pain
atypical = seizures/syncope/abdominal pain/fever/productive cough/wheezing/decreased consciousness/new onset atrial fibrillation/flank pain/delirium

Question 6

physical signs of pulmonary embolism

Answer 6

faster breathing
accentuated heart sounds
tachycardia
fever
S3/S4 gallop

Question 7

complications of pulmonary embolism

Answer 7

shock
coma
death
pulmonary hypertesnion
Right HF

Question 8

prognosis of pulmonary embolism

Answer 8

treatable if quick with anticoagulants