Pulmonary embolism Flashcards
Define pulmonary embolism
A condition in which one or more emboli, usually arising from a thrombus formed in the veins, are lodged in and obstruct the pulmonary arterial system, causing severe respiratory dysfunction.
Define provoked PE
Associated with an antecedent (within 3 months) and transient risk factor, e.g. immobility, surgery, trauma, pregnancy or puerperium, and the use of the COCP or HRT.
Define unprovoked PE
Absence of a transient risk factor - e.g. active cancer, thrombophilia (risks can’t be removed)
Pulmonary embolism (PE) pathophysiology
Emboli(s), usually arising from a thrombus formed in the veins, lodges in and obstructs the pulmonary artery(ies).
- -> lung tissue is ventilated but not perfused, resulting in an intra-pulmonary dead space and impaired gas exchange.
- -> reduction in cross-sectional area of pulmonary arterial bed
- -> elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure and reduction in cardiac output
- -> alveolar collapse, which worsens hypoxaemia
- -> hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis
What happens in a massive PE?
Large or multiple emboli can abruptly increase pulmonary arterial pressure to a level of afterload which cannot be matched by the right ventricle. Sudden death may occur, or the person may present with hypotension or syncope, which might progress to shock or death due to acute right ventricular failure.
What are the non-thrombotic sources of emboli? (6)
Tumours e.g. prostate and breast cancers Fat e.g. long-bone fractures Amniotic fluid Sepsis e.g. endocarditis Foreign bodies e.g. IVDU, broken medical equipment Air e.g. surgery
What is Virchow’s triad?
Hypercoagulability
Venous stasis
Vascular wall damage
Major risk factors for PE (7)
Deep vein thrombosis Previous VTE Active cancer Recent surgery Significant immobility e.g. bed rest, hospital admission Lower limb trauma or fracture Pregnancy and postpartum
Other risk factors for PE (9)
>60yo COCP or HRT Obesity Significant medical comorbidities e.g. heart disease Long distance travel Varicose veins Superficial venous thrombosis Known thrombophilias Other e.g. central vein catheter, nephrotic syndrome, chronic dialysis, myeloproliferative disorders, Behcet's
Complications of PE
Mortality, morbidity, and hospitalization
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (rare)
What is CTEPH?
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Emboli replaced with fibrous tissue, leading to chronic obsutrction and increased pulmonary arterial pressure, which can lead to right heart failure
Symptoms of PE
May be asymptomatic
Sudden and severe pleuritic chest pain
Dyspnoea
Features of DVT (e.g. leg pain/swelling)
Retrosternal chest pain (due to right ventricular ischaemia)
Cough and haemoptysis
Dizziness and/or syncope (due to right ventricular failure)
Signs of PE
Tachycardia Tachypnoea Hypoxia Pyrexia Elevated JVP Gallop rhythm, a widely split second heart sound, tricuspid regurgitant murmur Pleural rub Hypotension and cardiogenic shock (rare signs indicating central PE and/or a severely reduced haemodynamic reserve).
Chest x-ray features in PE
Atelectasis, pleural effusion, or elevation of a hemidiaphragm
Wedge opacity
ECG features in PE
Sinus tachycardia
Non-specific ST-segment and T-wave abnormalities
Right axis deviation
Right bundle-branch block
T-wave inversion in leads V1–V3
P pulmonale (increased P wave amplitude)
S1Q3T3 (large S wave in lead 1, large Q wave in lead 3, and T-wave inversion in lead 3)
