Pulmonary embolus

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Lungs

Pulmonary embolus

Respiratory system

Venous thrombo-embolism; Lung blood clot; Blood clot - lung; Embolus; Tumor embolus

Symptoms of pulmonary embolism may be vague, or they may resemble symptoms associated with other diseases. Symptoms can include:

• Cough
  • Begins suddenly
  • May produce bloody sputum (significant amounts of visible blood or lightly blood streaked sputum)
• Sudden onset of shortness of breath at rest or with exertion
• Splinting of ribs with breathing (bending over or holding the chest)
• Chest pain
  • Under the breastbone or on one side
  • Especially sharp or stabbing; also may be burning, aching or dull, heavy sensation
  • May be worsened by breathing deeply, coughing, eating, bending, or stooping
• Rapid breathing
• Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)

• Wheezing
• Clammy skin
• Bluish skin discoloration
• Nasal flaring
• Pelvis pain
• Leg pain in one or both legs
• Swelling in the legs (lower extremities)
• Lump associated with a vein near the surface of the body (superficial vein), may be painful
• Low blood pressure
• Weak or absent pulse
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Anxiety

Tests to evaluate the function of the lungs:

• Arterial blood gases
• Pulse oximetry

• Chest x-ray
• Pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scan
• Pulmonary angiogram
• CT angiogram of the chest

• Doppler ultrasound exam of an extremity blood flow studies
• Venography of the legs
• Plethysmography of the legs

An ECG may show abnormalities caused by strain on the heart.

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• Echocardiogram
• D-dimer level
• Chest CT scan
• Chest MRI scan

Review Date: 03/01/2007
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.