Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage in the pulmonary artery caused by a thrombus, typically originating from the venous system, leading to reduced blood flow and oxygen levels in the lungs. Risk factors include cancer, family history of clots, obesity, and prolonged immobility. Symptoms often include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and dizziness, and management strategies involve anticoagulants, oxygen therapy, and possible surgical interventions.

1. PREPARED BY DOLISHA WARBI

2. DEFINITION:
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is an obstruction of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches by a thrombus (or
thrombi) that originates somewhere in the venous system.
A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot in your lung that creates a blockage.
This happens when a clot in another part of the body (often your leg or arm) moves through your veins to your
lung. A PE restricts blood flow to your lungs, lowers oxygen levels in your lungs and increases blood pressure in
your pulmonary arteries.

3. CAUSES:
ü Small masses of infectious material.
ü Fat;It can be released into the bloodstream after some types of bone fractures, surgery, trauma, or severe burns.
ü Air bubbles or substances that get into the blood from trauma, surgery, or medical procedures.
ü Tumors caused by rapidly growing cancer cells.
ü Amniotic fluid.
ü DVT in the upper body
ü Older than 50 years
RISK FACTORS:
ü Cancer and cancer therapy
ü Family history of blood clots or clotting disorders
ü Heart disease
ü Health history of blood clots or clotting disorders
ü Long-term use of birth control pills or estrogen therapy
ü Surgery or injury (especially to the legs) or orthopedic surgery.
ü Obesity
ü Enlarged veins in the legs (varicose veins)
ü Cigarette smoking
ü Surgery or injury (especially to the legs) or
orthopedic surgery
ü Situations in which mobility is limited, such as
extended bed rest, flying or riding long distances, or
paralysis

4. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY:
Shock
Decrease output and decrease blood pressure
Right side heart failure
Increased right side heart workload to maintain pulmonary blood flow
Increased pulmonary artery pressure
</Absent of blood flow
DVT in the legs or any other part

5. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:
• Sudden shortness of breath (most common)
• Chest pain (usually worse with breathing)
• A feeling of anxiety
• A feeling of dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
• Irregular heartbeat
• Palpitations (heart racing)
• Coughing and/or coughing up blood
• Sweating
• Low blood pressure
• You may also have symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), such as:
a) Pain in the affected leg (may happen only when standing or walking)
b) Swelling in the leg
c) Soreness, tenderness, redness, and/or warmth in the leg(s)
• Redness and/or discolored skin

6. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION:
Ø Pulse oximetry
Ø Chest x-ray.
Ø Pulmonary angiogram.
Ø Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan).
Ø Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Ø Duplex ultrasound (US). This type of vascular ultrasound is done to assess blood flow and the structure of the
blood vessels in the legs.
Ø Blood tests
Ø Arterial blood gas
Ø Electrocardiogram (EKG).
Pulmonary angiogram
Duplex ultrasound
Electrocardiogram (EKG)

7. MANAGEMENT:
§ Anticoagulants and aspirin are often given to help prevent DVT.
§ Oxygen therapy
§ Anti-embolisms stocking or intermittent pneumatic leg compression devices
§ Elevate the legs about the level of the heart.
SURRGICAL MANAGEMENT:
• Pulmonary embolectomy.
• Transvenous catheter embolectomy

8. NURSING MANAGEMENT:
Ø Monitored vital sign.
Ø Monitor any signs and symptoms of hypoxia, headache, weight loss, pallor, sinuses and behavioral changes.
Ø Monitor patient response to intravenous fluid or vasopressor.
Ø Monitor oxygen therapy of the patient.
Ø Administered the prescribed drugs to the patient.
Ø In case of post operative management provide care for the stoma.
Ø Monitor patient dietary pattern.
Ø Encourage minimal mobility, range of motion of the patient.
Ø Provide comfortable position.

9. THANKS YOU