Pulmonary embolism

Disease class: Embolism

Disease class: Lung diseases

Also known as

• PE

 

Pathophysiology

• When a thrombus forms in the body and embolises to the pulmonary arteries, it can stick there and obstruct arterial blood flow to the lungs. When this happens, there is no longer adequate perfusion, and sufficient oxygenation cannot occur. 
• Oxygen saturations will usually decline.

 

Investigations

• D-Dimer: If negative, a pulmonary embolism is highly unlikely. If positive, a pulmonary embolism is somewhat likely.
• CT pulmonary angiogram 

See also

• Deep vein thrombosis