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understanding pulmonary embolism
admin FAQS & Myths

Understanding Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the sudden blockage of one or more arteries in the lungs. This blockage typically occurs when a blood clot, usually originating from the deep veins of the legs (a condition known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT), travels through the bloodstream and lodges in the pulmonary arteries. Understanding the implications of pulmonary embolism on life expectancy and the factors influencing recovery is crucial for patients and healthcare providers alike.

The Mechanism of Pulmonary Embolism:

Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot, or a fragment of a clot, breaks loose from its site of origin and travels through the veins to the lungs. Factors that increase the risk of blood clot formation include prolonged immobility, surgery, trauma, obesity, pregnancy, and certain medical conditions such as cancer and inherited clotting disorders. Once in the pulmonary circulation, the clot can obstruct blood flow to the lungs, leading to potentially severe consequences.

Symptoms and Diagnosis:

The symptoms of pulmonary embolism can vary widely depending on the size and location of the clot. Common signs and symptoms include sudden onset of chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, coughing (sometimes with bloody sputum), and fainting. However, some individuals may experience no symptoms at all, especially if the clot is small. Diagnosis typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, imaging tests (such as CT pulmonary angiography), and blood tests (such as D-dimer assay).

Life Expectancy After Pulmonary Embolism:

The prognosis and life expectancy following a pulmonary embolism depend on several factors, including the size of the clot, the extent of lung involvement, the presence of underlying medical conditions, and the timeliness and effectiveness of treatment. Prompt recognition and appropriate management are crucial in improving outcomes and reducing the risk of complications.

Immediate Treatment and Management:

Immediate treatment for pulmonary embolism aims to stabilize the patient and prevent further clot formation. This often involves the administration of anticoagulant medications (such as heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin) to prevent the existing clot from growing and new clots from forming. In some cases, thrombolytic therapy may be considered to dissolve the clot more rapidly, particularly in patients with massive or life-threatening PE. Additional supportive measures, such as supplemental oxygen and pain management, may also be necessary.

Long-Term Management and Recovery:

Central to the management of pulmonary embolism is the recognition of its close association with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), emphasizing the paramount importance of vein treatment. Addressing underlying venous insufficiencies and clots in the lower extremities significantly reduces the risk of thrombus formation, thus preventing potential embolic events like PE. 

By implementing strategies to improve venous circulation and prevent clot formation through interventions such as compression therapy, anticoagulation, and minimally invasive procedures like Sclerotherapy, and ablation techniques, healthcare providers can effectively disrupt the vicious cycle of clot formation. 

Moreover, early detection and treatment of venous insufficiency not only mitigate the risk of PE but also alleviate symptoms, enhance quality of life, and contribute to long-term vascular health. Therefore, prioritizing vein treatment plays a pivotal role not only in managing acute pulmonary embolism but also in preventing its recurrence and optimizing patient outcomes.

Serena williams and her experience with pulmonary embolism
admin Preventions and Tips

Serena Williams and her experience with Pulmonary Embolism

What complications arouse during Child Birth?

Tennis sensation Serena Williams has revealed in her interview with Vogue that she experienced the major health complication called “pulmonary embolism” shortly after giving birth to her baby in September 2017.

Serena Williams has had a medical history of blood clots in the deep veins (DVT i.e. Deep Vein Thrombosis) and was prescribed blood thinners (anti-coagulants) to prevent abnormal blood clotting.

Due to an emergency C-Section surgery recommendation for delivery, Serena was put off her daily dosage of blood thinners so as to avoid uncontrolled blood loss. This is the general medical advice before any surgical treatment and not just caesarean delivery.

Although the childbirth procedure went well, she experienced difficulties in breathing while recovering from the C-Section surgery. It was due to her awareness about the symptoms and her past experience with the disorder, she immediately realized that it was an incidence of pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary embolism is a health scare caused due to the presence of blood clots in the lungs. This condition arises when the blood clots in the deep veins from the other parts of the body break free and travel to the lungs thus limiting the oxygen supply to the heart and eventually causing death.

Serena asked the doctors to conduct a CT scan of her lungs to check for blood clots. Doctors conducted an ultrasound scan of her legs followed by a CT scan and confirmed the presence of numerous small potentially life-threatening blood clots in her lungs.

Fortunately, the doctors were able to treat Serena’s embolism on time by putting her on life-saving blood-thinner drugs but these medications had side-effects on the faster healing of her C-Section wounds. Also, pulmonary embolism led to extreme coughing spells that forced her C-Section wounds to open up.

While trying to fix that through a surgical procedure, the doctors noticed a mass of clotted blood (hematoma) in her abdomen. Doctors had to then insert a filter in her major vein to prevent more blood clots from travelling to the lungs and heart.

Why do Pregnant women get Blood Clots?

It comes as a surprise to many that pulmonary embolism is the third most common form of cardiovascular disorder after heart attack and stroke. It is, however, known that women are at a greater risk of blood clots during pregnancy and shortly after childbirth. This risk is even higher for women like Serena Williams who have a medical history of blood clots.

Studies have cited that a pregnant woman is at least 4 to 5 times more probable of having a blood clot compared to when she is not pregnant. Every 1 or 2 out of 1000 pregnant women experience blood clots. Also, women who deliver via C-Section are roughly four times more likely to develop blood clots as compared to their counterparts who give birth through the vagina.

Let us understand what increases the likelihood of blood clots in women during pregnancy and after delivery:

  1. Hormonal changes during pregnancy promote the clotting of blood.
  2. As the baby grows in size, the veins of the uterus and pelvic region get compressed. This leads to poor blood flow and thus increases the chances of blood clot formation.
  3. The increased size of the uterus causes additional pressure on the veins in the pelvic region which slows down the blood flow.
  4. In late pregnancy, women are not able to move around for long periods and have poor physical activity levels which downgrade the blood flow in the legs and is the leading cause of blood clot formation in deep veins.

All the above-listed factors contribute to the development of blood clots in pregnant women and women remain to be at high risk for a few weeks even after childbirth as it takes time for the uterus to reduce in size and for the levels of the hormones to come back to usual. All pregnant women must keep a check for any early signs and symptoms of blood clots such as pain or swelling in the legs.

Like any other surgical procedure, a caesarean procedure also increases the probability of blood clots. Women who have had blood clots in the past must continue their regime of blood-thinners and anti-coagulants to avoid clotting during pregnancy. It is also suggested to use inflatable compression devices on a woman’s legs during the caesarean procedure.

If you are pregnant and have a medical history of blood clots, it is best to seek medical advice from a vascular expert along with your routine check-ups with an OB-Gynae healthcare practitioner. Dr. Rajah V Koppala is a highly qualified and thoroughly trained vascular surgeon and advanced laparoscopic surgeon. He is the best vascular expert for medical assistance for blood clots during pregnancy and after delivery.

With the in-house medical set-up of Doppler ultrasound scan and advanced laser treatment equipment along with a cashless Mediclaim facility for all treatment procedures, Avis Vascular Centre tops the list of the best medical institutes for the cure of varicose veins, blood clots in deep veins, and pulmonary embolism. Schedule your appointment with the distinguished vascular expert Dr. Rajah V Koppala today!

Prevention of DVT and Pulmonary Embolism
admin Diagnosis and Treatments

Prevention of DVT and Pulmonary Embolism

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) refers to the medical condition where a blood clot develops in the deep veins, commonly in the legs. This blood clot can lead to partial or complete blockage in the vein, damage the one-way valves, and prevent blood flow back to the heart.

The blood clot can even break free and move to other vital body organs such as the lungs eventually leading to the life-threatening medical condition called Pulmonary Embolism.

DVT is dangerous and early diagnosis is vital to the prevention of pulmonary embolism. You must always be careful about the symptoms and seek immediate medical assistance in case of any discomfort.

Common Symptoms of DVT

Deep Vein Thrombosis can be recognized by the following common signs:

  1. Pain and tenderness in the leg
  2. Swelling, generally in one leg
  3. Skin discoloration where the skin turns reddish or bluish
  4. Leg feels warm on touch

Common Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism can be easily identified by the below-mentioned symptoms:

  1. Rapid heart rate
  2. Immediate shortness of breathe
  3. Cough, occasionally with bloody mucus
  4. Sharp pain in the chest which tends to get worse with deep breathing

Steps to Reduce the Risk of DVT

There are numerous small steps that can help reduce the likelihood of DVT and pulmonary embolism. Please make a note of the following tips:

  1. Speak to your doctor about the need for blood-thinners
  2. Consult your doctor about compression stockings and their recommended usage
  3. Avoid staying in the same posture for longer durations at a stretch
  4. Maintain a BMI between 25 to 30, lose weight if you are overweight or obese
  5. Make an exercise routine or go for a walk every day to stay active and boost blood circulation
  6. Wear comfortable clothes, avoid wearing anything that is too tight
  7. Drink a lot of water, especially when you are travelling
  8. Quit smoking
  9. If you are about to take hormonal medicines whether for birth control or hormone replacement therapy, always speak to your doctor about the risk of clotting

Ensure to always take measures for self-care to prevent diabetes, blood pressure, heart failure, or other health issues.

Tips to Prevent Travel-Related DVT

Although travel-related DVT is rare in healthy people but taking precautions is always good.

  1. While undertaking long journeys in plane, train, bus, or car, ensure to get up and move around once every hour.
  2. If you cannot move around, remember to perform heel-toe exercises and circle your feet.
  3. Ensure to take breaks every 2 hours if you are driving the car for journeys longer than 4 hours
  4. Do not take sleeping pills
  5. Do not consume alcohol during long flights
  6. Wearing compression stockings can also help prevent DVT but it is recommended to speak to your doctor before travelling. He will also help you choose the right size and prescribe the desired usage.
  7. If you have had DVT in the past and have been prescribed blood thinners along with other medications, there probably isn’t any risk of another DVT incident during your journey. You must, however, cross-check with your doctor to travel stress-free.

If you have a family history of DVT or have yourself suffered from blood clots in the past, it is wise to take all necessary precautionary steps to prevent new blood clot formation that may lead to DVT or pulmonary embolism. Always maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat a nutritious diet, and consume your meals on time, maintain optimal levels of physical activity, and consult your doctor for any unusual symptoms that you may notice.

For a medical check-up, diagnosis, and treatment of any venous disorders such as varicose veins, spider veins, blood clots, DVT, venous ulcers, or chronic venous insufficiency, book a consultation with the distinguished interventional radiologist Dr. Rajah V Koppala at Avis Vascular Centre for a painless and minimally invasive treatment.

At Avis Vascular Centre, we have the latest medical equipment and a highly professional team of doctors who not only ensure the best treatment but also promise the highest levels of patient satisfaction. You are assured of zero downtime and quick recovery in the endovenous laser treatment. Schedule your appointment today!