Pulmonary Embolism Flashcards
What is the most common cause of PE?
Venous thrombosis in pelvis or legs
What are risk factors for PE?
Recent surgery, thrombophilia, prolonged bed rest, pregnancy, antiphospholipid syndrome, cancer, factor 5 Leiden mutation, synthetic oestrogen
What are symptoms of a PE?
Sudden onset breathlessness, pleuritic chest pain, haemoptysis
What are signs of a PE?
Tachypnoea, tachycardia, raised JVP
What ECG changes might there be?
Sinus tachycardia, RBBB, right ventricular strain pattern
What blood test would you do?
D-dimer
What might an ABG show?
Reduced oxygen and carbon dioxide
What might a CXR show?
Reduced blood flow to affected area, dilated pulmonary artery
What imaging can you do?
CXR, CT pulmonary angiogram
What are some differential diagnoses?
Angina, MI
What should you do if the patient is unstable?
Thrombolysis
What should you do if the patient is stable?
Oxygen and LWMH, direct oral anticoagulant
What immediate management should you consider?
Morphine + anti-emetic
What are some possible complications?
Acute bleeding during treatment, pulmonary infarction, cardiac arrest
What criteria determines the clinical possibility of a PE?
Wells Criteria
