A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot (thrombus) that usually forms in a blood vessel in the legs and travels to the arteries in the lungs, eventually blocking them. Such blockage lowers the oxygen level in the lungs and increases blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and requires prompt treatment and preventive care.
Treatments of pulmonary embolism
The treatment of pulmonary embolism encompasses recourse to the following:
- Anticoagulants or blood thinners: These medicines prevent blood clots and an existing clot from getting bigger, including new clot formation. The most common blood thinner or anticoagulant is heparin, administered through a vein or injected under the skin. A newer oral anticoagulant has also received approval. However, these medicines have side effects, of which bleeding is the most common.
- Fibrinolytic therapy: This treatment type is also known as clot buster or clot dissolver and is provided intravenously to break down a clot. These medicines can cause sudden and severe bleeding and are mostly used in life-threatening situations.
- Vena cava filter: A small metal device called a catheter is placed in the vena cava (the large blood vessel that supplies blood from the body to the heart) to keep clots from travelling to the lungs. These filters are often used for patients who can’t take anticoagulants or blood thinners to treat the condition. This filter can be removed when not needed.
- Pulmonary embolectomy: It is a surgical procedure to remove a pulmonary embolism (PE). This procedure is generally undertaken when anticoagulants or thrombolytic therapy are not available.
The treatments listed above can help PE patients in preventing clots from getting bigger, including the formation of new clots.
Conclusion
Treating a pulmonary embolism is necessary as it can become a serious life-threatening condition, affecting the lungs and heart. Prompt medical treatment for pulmonary embolism and seeking professional advice can help in treating the condition. You can take preventive measures and join support groups or a counsellor to learn about the necessary recommendations to deal with PE. Furthermore, obtaining a health insurance policy can help cover the hospital expenses needed to treat this condition.
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