A blood clot entering a pulmonary artery can cause sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and a life-threatening condition.
When to seek emergency care
If any of the following signs occur, call *3003 immediately — do not wait for a routine appointment:
- Sudden severe shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Loss of consciousness
- Low blood pressure and bluish discoloration
What is it?
Treatment is selected according to the size of the embolus, its effect on blood pressure, oxygen levels, and bleeding risk.
Symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing
- Rapid pulse
- Cough
- Leg swelling and pain
- Weakness
Causes & risk factors
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Prolonged immobility
- Postoperative period
- Cancer
- Pregnancy and the postpartum period
- Hormonal medications
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is not based on a single test alone. Symptoms, risk factors, physical examination, and instrumental findings are assessed together.
- CT pulmonary angiography
- D-dimer in selected cases
- Doppler ultrasound of the leg veins
- ECG and echocardiography
- Blood oxygen and laboratory measurements
Treatment approaches
Treatment is individualized according to disease severity, the patient’s overall condition, comorbidities, and procedural risk.
- Anticoagulant therapy
- Oxygen and critical care support
- Thrombolysis in selected severe cases
- Catheter-directed treatment in selected cases
- DVT prevention
How we help
At the center, a patient’s hemodynamic status is assessed immediately when pulmonary embolism is suspected. In severe cases, the critical care, cardiology, and interventional radiology teams make a joint decision.
When a procedure may be needed
Catheter-directed treatment or a thrombolytic approach may be considered when there is low blood pressure, right heart strain, a large clot burden, or high-risk embolism.
Patient checklist
- Call emergency services for sudden shortness of breath
- Report any recent surgery or long journey
- Mention any leg swelling
- Tell the physician about bleeding risks
FAQ
Can pulmonary embolism be fatal?
Yes, especially when it obstructs large vessels. Therefore, medical care should not be delayed for sudden shortness of breath.
How long are medications taken after treatment?
The physician determines the duration based on the cause of the embolism and the risk of recurrence.
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