What Is a Pulmonary Embolism?
A blood clot in the artery wall can form a pulmonary embolism if it gets lodged in the small blood vessels of the lungs. Here's more information about this medical emergency.
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Transcript: What Is a Pulmonary Embolism?
The Circulatory and Venous Systems
The circulatory system carries blood throughout the body via an intricate network of arteries and veins.The venous system is the section of the circulatory system that uses veins to return the used, or deoxygenated, blood to the heart and lungs.
How a Thrombus Forms
Occasionally, irregularities in the wall of a vein (especially in areas of slow flow, such as the area surrounding a venous valve) can cause a blood clot, or thrombus, to form.Once formed, additional fibrin and red blood cell deposits cause the thrombus to grow inside the vein.
Risks of a Thrombus
In addition to causing inflammation of the vein and obstructing blood flow, there is a significant risk that all or part of a venous thrombus may break off and travel through the bloodstream.These mobile thrombi can pass through the heart and eventually lodge in the small blood vessels of the lungs.
What Is a Pulmonary Embolism?
The lodged clot, called a pulmonary embolism, may compromise blood flow to the lungs resulting in shortness of breath, lightheadedness, coughing and chest pain.Treating a Pulmonary Embolism
Development of a pulmonary embolism is a medical emergency that requires prompt medical attention.Copyrighted animations provided by Blausen Medical.