Pulmonary Embolus (PE)

Question 1

What is a Pulmonary Embolus?

Answer 1

A blockage of the main artery of the lung or one of its branches by a substance that has travelled from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream (embolism).

Question 2

What are the physiological abnormalities associated with a Pulmonary Embolus?

Answer 2

• Impaired perfusion of the alveoli resulting in low oxygen levels in the blood

Question 3

What causes a Pulmonary Embolus?

Answer 3

• A DVT (movement of the clot to the lungs)

- Valsalva Manœuvre (trying to breath out against a glossed upper airway)

Question 4

What are the signs and symptoms of a Pulmonary Embolus?

Answer 4

• A sudden onset dyspnoea
• Tachypnoea
• Chest pain of a pleuritic nature
• Hemoptysis (the coughing up of blood)
• Cyanosis
• Collapse
• Circulatory instability
• Pleuritic friction rub heard over the affected area
• Pleural Effusion
• Strain on the right ventricle
• Raised Jugular Venous Pressure

Question 5

What are the abnormal test results associated with a Pulmonary Embolus?

Answer 5

• Low Oxygen Saturation
• Hypoxemia
• Lung scan showing a lack of blood flow to a part of the lung
• CT scan showing a blood clot in the pulmonary artery

Question 6

What are the medical and surgical interventions available when dealing with a Pulmonary Embolus?

Answer 6

• High flow rate oxygen

- Thrombolytic Drugs given by IV infusion to dissolve the blood clot

Question 7

What are the primary and secondary preventive measures available to avoid a Pulmonary Embolus occurring or occurring again?

Answer 7

Anti-coagulants for some months (initially low molecular wait heparin and later moving to oral warfarin)