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Pulmonary Embolism. Kathryn Farquharson. Pulmonary Embolism Is... Definition & Description. Also known as PE, a pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in the lung Blood clot does not usually form in lung Clot usually travels from vessels in legs, arms, heart or pelvis. Description cont.
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Pulmonary Embolism Kathryn Farquharson
Pulmonary Embolism Is...Definition & Description • Also known as PE, a pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in the lung • Blood clot does not usually form in lung • Clot usually travels from vessels in legs, arms, heart or pelvis
Description cont. • The blood clot will travel through smaller vessels in the lung until it reaches a vessel too small to go through • The blood clot will then get stuck in an artery leading to the lungs, preventing blood and oxygen from getting to the lung • If no blood or oxygen can get to the lung, that part of the lung will die http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGrDAGN5pC0
Causes Before a clot can reach the lungs, a clot first has to be made • Blood clots can be formed by being confined to a bed – stroke, broken bones, spinal cord injury • Long travel – sitting for long periods of time can increase chances of clots forming in the legs • Recent surgery, trauma to the legs, heart disease http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Dvt/DVT_WhatIs.html
Symptoms • Sharp and sudden chest pain • Shortness of breath • Apprehension/anxiety • Cough – may be dry cough or contain blood • Sweating • Passing out