Pulmonary Embolism and Related Conditions

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to pulmonary embolism and associated conditions, aimed at aiding exam preparation.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

A condition caused by the obstruction of a pulmonary artery by a blood clot that has traveled from the veins of the legs or other parts of the body.

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)

A condition that includes both pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, characterized by blood clots in the venous system.

D-dimer Test

A blood test used to diagnose or rule out the presence of a thrombus or embolus; a negative result can effectively exclude PE.

Acute Massive PE

A serious type of PE characterized by significant hemodynamic instability, often leading to acute right heart failure and severe symptoms.

Chronic Pulmonary Hypertension

A progressive condition defined as an increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure, often resulting from long-standing lung disorders.

Well's Score

A clinical scoring system that assesses the probability of pulmonary embolism based on various clinical criteria and risk factors.

CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA)

A diagnostic imaging test that uses computed tomography to visualize the blood vessels in the lungs and detect pulmonary embolism.

Thrombolysis

A treatment involving the administration of medications to dissolve blood clots, often used in cases of massive pulmonary embolism.

Compression Duplex Doppler

An ultrasound test used to identify deep vein thrombosis, it may provide indirect evidence of PE.

Cor Pulmonale

Right heart failure that occurs due to complications from chronic pulmonary hypertension.