A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage in a blood vessel of the lungs. This lowers oxygen levels in the lungs and raises blood pressure in the vessels. It can be deadly in some people.
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
A PE is often caused by a blood clot in the leg or pelvis that travels to the lungs. Less common causes include floating pieces of fat, tumor tissue, or air.
Having a blood clot in a deep vein of a leg or the pelvis raises the risk of PE. Other things that may raise the risk are:
The symptoms of PE will depend on the size and location of the blockage. The amount of lung tissue that has reduced blood flow will also affect the symptoms. PE may cause:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done.
Blood tests will be done to look for signs of a clot and to check oxygen levels.
Images may be taken. This may be done with:
An electrocardiogram (EKG) may be done to check the electrical activity of the heart.
Treatment depends on the size of the clot and the symptoms it is causing. Emergency treatment may be needed.
Medicine may be given to break up the clot. Blood thinners may be used to make it harder for new clots to form.
Some people may need surgery when medicine does not break up the clot or the clot is very large.
A filter may be needed in people who are not helped by other methods. It will be placed inside a large vein in the belly. The filter will catch blood clots that leave the lower body and trap them before they reach the lungs.
To lower the risk of blood clots that cause PE:
American Lung Association
American Society of Hematology
Wärntges S, Konstantinides S. Progress in the management of acute pulmonary embolism. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2015 Sep;21(5):417-24.
Pulmonary embolism (PE). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/pulmonary-embolism-pe. Updated August 8, 2019. Accessed October 30, 2019.
Pulmonary embolism. Society for Vascular Surgery website. Available at: https://vascular.org/patient-resources/vascular-conditions/pulmonary-embolism. Accessed October 30, 2019.
Raja AS, Greenberg JO, et al. Evaluation of Patients with Suspected Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Best Practice Advice from the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2015 Nov 3;163(9):701-711.
Last reviewed September 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD Last Updated: 07/15/2020