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Pulmonary Embolism

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot in a lung artery, usually originating in a deep vein. Suspected PE is an emergency and should not be managed through a medicine catalogue.

Key takeaways

  • Sudden breathlessness, pain worse on breathing, fainting, rapid heartbeat or coughing blood can indicate PE.
  • Risk assessment, oxygen and circulation checks, blood tests and imaging determine whether PE is present and how severe it is.
  • Anticoagulants limit clot growth and recurrence; medicine and duration depend on bleeding risk, cause and persistent risk factors.

Catalogue matches are not emergency treatment and do not establish that an anticoagulant is safe.

What determines immediate care?

Circulatory instability and right-heart strain may require hospital emergency treatment beyond anticoagulation. Stable PE still needs prompt assessment and a plan for follow-up and recurrence prevention.

How are anticoagulants selected?

Rivaroxaban is one option for selected patients. Kidney or liver function, pregnancy, cancer, interactions, body weight and bleeding risk can change the choice. Anticoagulants can cause serious bleeding.

When to seek urgent care

Call emergency services for sudden breathlessness, chest pain, coughing blood, collapse, confusion or a painful swollen leg with breathing symptoms.

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