_PE_Pulmonary Embolism

-
Introduction of Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot (embolus). These clots usually originate in the deep veins of the legs — a condition known as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) — and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs.
This blockage prevents proper blood flow to lung tissue, reducing oxygen levels in the blood and putting strain on the heart.
Common symptoms include:
Sudden shortness of breath
Sharp chest pain (worsens with deep breathing)
Rapid heart rate
Cough (sometimes with blood)
Risk factors include prolonged immobility (such as during travel or bed rest), surgery, obesity, smoking, pregnancy, certain medications (like oral contraceptives), and clotting disorders.
Early diagnosis and treatment with anticoagulant therapy are essential to prevent complications and improve survival outcomes.
Causes of Pulmonary disease 

🏥 Case Study: Pulmonary Embolism
1. Patient Profile
Name: Mr. Ramesh Kumar
Age: 56 years
Gender: Male
Occupation: Office worker (sedentary lifestyle)
Marital Status: Married
Weight/BMI: 92 kg / BMI 31.5 (Obese)

Chief Complaint
Patient presented to the Emergency Department with sudden onset of shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough with streaks of blood for the past 6 hours.
History of Present Illness
Mr. Ramesh reported that his symptoms began suddenly while sitting at home. He described the chest pain as sharp and pleuritic, worsening with deep breaths. He also noted mild swelling and pain in his left leg for the past 3 days, which he attributed to prolonged sitting due to work.

Past Medical History
Hypertension for 10 years
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus for 8 years
No previous history of heart disease or asthma
No known allergies

Family History
Father had a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
No family history of pulmonary or cardiac disease otherwise.
Personal/Social History
Non-smoker
Occasionally consumes alcohol
Sedentary lifestyle
Recently undertook a long train journey (14 hours) two days before onset of symptoms.

Parameter Findings
Temperature 98.6°F
Pulse Rate 112 bpm (tachycardia)
Respiratory Rate 28/min (tachypnea)
Blood Pressure 140/90 mmHg
SpO₂ 86% on room air
Inspection Dyspnea, anxious, cyanosis present
Palpation Tenderness and mild swelling in left calf
Auscultation Reduced breath sounds bilaterally; no wheeze or crackles.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

🏥Bio Medical Waste Management -BMW

-
Image
  Introduction : Bio-medical waste, often generated in healthcare facilities, encompasses materials contaminated with blood, bodily fluids, or infectious agents. Proper management of bio-medical waste is essential not only for the safety of healthcare workers but also for preventing the spread of infections and protecting the environment. Categories of Bio-Medical Waste: Bio-medical waste is classified into various categories based on its nature and potential hazards. These categories include infectious waste, pathological waste, pharmaceutical waste, sharps waste, and chemical waste. Each category requires specific handling and disposal procedures to minimize risks. Segregation and Collection: The first step in bio-medical waste management is proper segregation at the source. Healthcare facilities must implement rigorous protocols for segregating different types of bio-medical waste to prevent cross-contamination. Specialized containers for sharps, infectious waste, and other ca...
Read more

Cystic Fibrosis- causes and symptoms

-
Image
Introduction Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary disorder that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. It is characterized by the production of abnormally thick and sticky mucus that can clog the airways and obstruct the pancreas. CF is a progressive disease, leading to severe respiratory and digestive problems, and it often results in a shortened lifespan. Causes Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) gene. This gene is responsible for the production of a protein that regulates the movement of salt and water in and out of cells. Mutations in the CFTR gene result in the production of a defective protein, leading to the accumulation of thick mucus in various organs. Symptoms The symptoms of cystic fibrosis can vary widely but commonly include: Respiratory symptoms: Persistent coughing, frequent lung infections (including pneumonia and bronchitis), wheezing, and shortness of breath. Digestive symptoms: Difficu...
Read more

VENTILATOR in Critical Care

-
Image
 Management of Ventilators in Critical Care Ventilator management is a crucial aspect of critical care, especially for patients with respiratory failure. Proper management involves understanding the mechanics of ventilation, selecting appropriate settings, monitoring patient response, and making necessary adjustments. This article outlines key principles and best practices in ventilator management. 1. Understanding Ventilator Mechanics Ventilators support or replace spontaneous breathing by delivering breaths to the patient. There are different modes of ventilation, including Volume-Controlled Ventilation (VCV): Delivers a preset volume of air with each breath. Pressure-Controlled Ventilation (PCV): Delivers air until a preset pressure is reached. Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV): Provides assistance with each spontaneous breath, maintaining a preset pressure. Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (SIMV): Combines mandatory breaths with the patient's spontaneous bre...
Read more