Deep Vein Thrombosis
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Pulmonary Embolism
Left untreated, a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can break off and travel in the circulation, getting trapped in the lung, where it blocks the oxygen supply, causing heart failure. This is known as a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal. With early treatment, people with DVT can reduce their chances of developing a life threatening pulmonary embolism to less than one percent. Blood thinners like heparin and coumadin are effective in preventing further clotting and can prevent a pulmonary embolism from occurring.
- It is estimated that each year more than 600,000 patients suffer a pulmonary embolism
- PE causes or contributes to up to 200,000 deaths annually in the United States
- One in every 100 patients who develop DVT die due to pulmonary embolism
- A majority of pulmonary embolism are caused by DVT
If pulmonary embolism can be diagnosed and appropriate therapy started, the mortality can be reduced from approximately 30 percent to less than ten percent.
Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism
The symptoms are frequently nonspecific and can mimic many other cardiopulmonary events.
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid pulse
- Sweating
- Sharp chest pain
- Bloody sputum (coughing up blood)
- Fainting
If your doctor suspects that you have deep vein thrombosis after a medical history and physical examination, you will usually have ultrasound testing to verify the presence of a blood clot. Other tests, such as a venogram, are sometimes used if ultrasound results are unclear.