Pulmonary embolism
Authors:
I. Hofírek
Authors‘ workplace:
I. interní kardioangiologická klinika FN u sv. Anny v Brně
Published in:
Kardiol Rev Int Med 2009, 11(4): 170-173
Category:
Sympozium
Overview
The paper reviews pulmonary embolism as part of thromboembolic disease that represents an important medical and social and economic problem. The paper reminds the readers of the main epidemiological and pathophysiological data relevant to thromboembolic pulmonary embolism. It summarizes the risk factors and clinical picture of the disease and opinions relevant to the use of diagnostic methods. The paper selects what is important according to literature and to clinical practice in particular. Apart from anamnesis and patient clinical status, echocardiography and CT angiography of the pulmonary vein are included. Laboratory examinations (for example D‑dimer and troponin determination) represent supportive prognostic measures. The paper highlights discrepancies in understanding of the term massive pulmonary embolism with respect to CT description and clinical status of the patient and some diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in pregnant women. It comments on the treatment modalities such as heparin therapy and thrombolysis, and the currently discussed approaches, including thrombectomy and endovascular techniques.
Keywords:
pulmonary embolism – massive pulmonary embolism – thrombolysis
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Labels
Paediatric cardiology Internal medicine Cardiac surgery CardiologyArticle was published in
Cardiology Review
2009 Issue 4
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