Cardiopulmonary embolism

Introduction Cardiopulmonary embolism can cause changes in cardiopulmonary function, the extent of the change depends on the extent of pulmonary occlusion, speed, and original cardiopulmonary function. Light heart and lung function can be no significant changes, severe cases can lead to hypoxemia, hypocapnia, alkaliemia, increased pulmonary circulation resistance, pulmonary hypertension, acute right ventricular dysfunction.

Cause

Pulmonary embolism is a pathological process in which the thrombus or other substances obstruct the pulmonary artery or its branches. Common signs are increased breathing, purpura, lung wet rales, wheezing, pulmonary vascular murmur, pleural friction or pleural effusion. The signs of the circulatory system are tachycardia, P2 hyperactivity and shock or acute and chronic pulmonary heart disease, and its clinical manifestations can range from asymptomatic to sudden death.

an examination

Related inspection

Electrocardiogram, angiography, bronchography, dynamic electrocardiogram (Holter monitoring), general radiography

Light heart and lung function can be no significant changes, severe cases can lead to hypoxemia, hypocapnia, alkaliemia, increased pulmonary circulation resistance, pulmonary hypertension, acute right ventricular dysfunction.

X-ray examination can show typical signs such as patchy infiltration, atelectasis, and diaphragmatic elevation. Generally speaking, when pulmonary vascular bed obstruction is >30%, the mean pulmonary artery pressure starts to rise, and when the right atrial pressure is increased by >35%, the pulmonary vascular bed loss is >50%, which can cause a significant increase in pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. Reduced and acute pulmonary heart disease. Repeated pulmonary embolism produces persistent pulmonary hypertension and chronic pulmonary heart disease. In patients with impaired cardiopulmonary function, the hemodynamic effects of pulmonary embolism are far more prominent than the usual patients.

Differential diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on symptoms and signs and examinations.

Common symptoms of pulmonary embolism are sudden dyspnea and chest pain. Common signs are rapid breathing, purpura, lung wet rales, wheezing, pulmonary vascular murmur, pleural friction or pleural effusion. Signs of the circulatory system have tachycardia, P2 hyperactivity and shock or acute and chronic pulmonary heart disease. About 40% of patients have low to moderate fever, and a few have high fever in the early stages.

Light heart and lung function can be no significant changes, severe cases can lead to hypoxemia, hypocapnia, alkaliemia, increased pulmonary circulation resistance, pulmonary hypertension, acute right ventricular dysfunction.

X-ray examination can show typical signs such as patchy infiltration, atelectasis, and diaphragmatic elevation. Generally speaking, when pulmonary vascular bed obstruction is >30%, the mean pulmonary artery pressure starts to rise, and when the right atrial pressure is increased by >35%, the pulmonary vascular bed loss is >50%, which can cause a significant increase in pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. Reduced and acute pulmonary heart disease. Repeated pulmonary embolism produces persistent pulmonary hypertension and chronic pulmonary heart disease. In patients with impaired cardiopulmonary function, the hemodynamic effects of pulmonary embolism are far more prominent than the usual patients.

The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.