Pulmonary Embolism Definition
Name of Pathology:
Pulmonary Embolism
Definition/Description/Characteristics:
Before I get started explaining what a pulmonary embolism is, I am going to say that a pulmonary embolism is a part of group of problems all known as venous thromboembolism (VTE). Venous refers to veins, while thrombus is the blockage of blood vessel and when the blockage breaks off and travels, is called an embolism. A pulmonary embolism is usually a clot that was originally from a deep vein thrombosis in the legs or pelvic region. This can be a life-threatening condition if not treated right away. (ALL FOUND IN SOURCE #2) There are a few ways to classify a pulmonary embolism. One characteristic about a pulmonary embolism is that it can either be acute or chronic.
Acute or chronic is referring to how it affects the vessel. It can either be found centrally within the vascular lumen or occluding a vessel and be considered acute or it can be considered chronic if the embolism is eccentric and contiguous with the vessel wall. Another characteristic of a pulmonary embolism is central or peripheral. This is based off of where you can find the embolism; it can either be in the main pulmonary artery, left and right main pulmonary arteries, the anterior trunk, the right and left interlobar arteries, the left upper lobe trunk, the right middle lobe artery, and the right and left lower lobe arteries to be considered central. If it were found in the segmental and subsegmental arteries of the right upper lobe, the right middle lobe, the right lower lobe, the left upper lobe, the lingual, and the left lower lobe it is considered to be located peripherally. Additionally, a PE can be either massive or nonmassive pulmonary embolism. “A massive pulmonary embolism is defined as presenting with a systolic arterial pressure less than 90 mm Hg… a nonmassive pulmonary embolism is defined as presenting with a systolic arterial pressure greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg. (ALL FOUND IN SOURCE #1) Causes: The cause of a pulmonary embolism is usually from a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVTs are thrombi that originate usually in the legs or pelvic region of the body. When a thrombus breaks apart and travels up to the heart through the veins, it is then considered an embolism. The usual cause of a pulmonary embolism is a blood clot, but also air bubbles, part of a tumor other tissue that travels to the lungs, or fat from bone marrow due to a broken bone in the body are causes of a pulmonary embolism, but are rare.
Pulmonary Embolism
Definition/Description/Characteristics:
Before I get started explaining what a pulmonary embolism is, I am going to say that a pulmonary embolism is a part of group of problems all known as venous thromboembolism (VTE). Venous refers to veins, while thrombus is the blockage of blood vessel and when the blockage breaks off and travels, is called an embolism. A pulmonary embolism is usually a clot that was originally from a deep vein thrombosis in the legs or pelvic region. This can be a life-threatening condition if not treated right away. (ALL FOUND IN SOURCE #2) There are a few ways to classify a pulmonary embolism. One characteristic about a pulmonary embolism is that it can either be acute or chronic.
Acute or chronic is referring to how it affects the vessel. It can either be found centrally within the vascular lumen or occluding a vessel and be considered acute or it can be considered chronic if the embolism is eccentric and contiguous with the vessel wall. Another characteristic of a pulmonary embolism is central or peripheral. This is based off of where you can find the embolism; it can either be in the main pulmonary artery, left and right main pulmonary arteries, the anterior trunk, the right and left interlobar arteries, the left upper lobe trunk, the right middle lobe artery, and the right and left lower lobe arteries to be considered central. If it were found in the segmental and subsegmental arteries of the right upper lobe, the right middle lobe, the right lower lobe, the left upper lobe, the lingual, and the left lower lobe it is considered to be located peripherally. Additionally, a PE can be either massive or nonmassive pulmonary embolism. “A massive pulmonary embolism is defined as presenting with a systolic arterial pressure less than 90 mm Hg… a nonmassive pulmonary embolism is defined as presenting with a systolic arterial pressure greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg. (ALL FOUND IN SOURCE #1) Causes: The cause of a pulmonary embolism is usually from a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVTs are thrombi that originate usually in the legs or pelvic region of the body. When a thrombus breaks apart and travels up to the heart through the veins, it is then considered an embolism. The usual cause of a pulmonary embolism is a blood clot, but also air bubbles, part of a tumor other tissue that travels to the lungs, or fat from bone marrow due to a broken bone in the body are causes of a pulmonary embolism, but are rare.