mod 1 pulmonary embolism

pulmonary embolism

originates from right side of heart (think how blood flows)

pe symptoms

coughing blood (hemoptysis)

tachypnea

dyspnea

chest pain

pe diagnostic

CT pulmonary angiography (gold standard)

chest x-ray

ECG

abg

d-dimer

unstable pt with pe

unstable vitals

altered LOC

**give thrombolytic alteplase OR straight to thrombectomy

stable pt with pe

stable vitals

conscious/responsive

*give heparin, warfarin, enoxaparin (warfarin bridge)

pe surgical interventions

embolectomy or thrombectomy

IVC filter

heparin

increases clotting time

if aPTT is low

pt is clotting too quickly

meaning heparin dose it too low, need to increase

this pt is at risk for clotting!

if aPTT is high

pt takes a long time to clot

meaning heparin dose is too high, need to decrease the dose

this pt is at risk for bleeding

pe risk factors

sedentary lifestyle

overweight

long periods of travel

smoking