Thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery - symptoms, treatment

Thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery is not an independent disease, but occurs as a complication in severe thrombosis of the veins. Such factors can contribute to the emergence of such a pathological condition:

• various heart diseases;
• circulatory disorders;
• inflammation of the walls of blood vessels;
• increased coagulability of blood;
• phlebeurysm.

Symptoms of thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery

This condition is especially dangerous because immediately before the onset of thromboembolism (blockage of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches), no pathology shows itself by any specific symptoms, after the appearance of the symptoms can be quite vague, which greatly complicates the diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the severity of the symptoms may not correspond to the severity of the vascular lesions: for example, severe pain with blockage of small branches of the pulmonary artery and only shortness of breath in the event of severe thromboembolism.

In thromboembolism, most often:

• dyspnea;
• chest pains that increase with inspiration;
• cough with blood (with a hemorrhage into the lung);
• lowering blood pressure;
• cyanosis, pale skin;
• sticky cold sweat;
• increased body temperature;
• rapid (up to 100 beats per minute and more), but a weak pulse;
• loss of consciousness.

Symptoms of thromboembolism may resemble myocardial infarction or pneumonia.

Thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery - treatment and prognosis

The defeat in this disease develops rapidly and can lead to such consequences as myocardial infarction, lung infarction followed by severe pneumonia, cardiac arrest and death.

With thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery, the favorable predictions depend on the severity of the symptoms and the rate at which the treatment is started. But even with the timely diagnosis of mortality reaches 10%, with incorrect diagnosis, as well as severe form of thromboembolism, fatal outcomes account for up to 50-60% of cases.

Treatment is carried out with emergency hospitalization of the patient. In more light cases - medication:

• reception of anticoagulants , preparations dissolving blood clots;
• using maintenance therapy.

With extensive thromboembolism, resuscitation measures (if necessary) are performed and surgical intervention to remove thrombus and restore normal blood flow.