Diagnosing Pulmonary Embolism

It is estimated that the promptly and accurately diagnosing pulmonary embolism occurs with only 33 percent of all persons who develop this common deadly vascular condition. Pulmonary embolism is a condition characterized by a blood clot traveling to the lungs and blocking an artery. This is a common complication from a condition called deep vein thrombosis, where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, typically in the leg. Pulmonary embolism is one of the most common causes of unknown death and death to hospitalized persons in the United States.

Diagnosing pulmonary embolism depends on the presence and recognition of symptoms and the onset and development of this potentially fatal condition. In patients who do develop symptoms, the onset is rapid and severe. Ten percent of all patients who develop acute pulmonary embolism will die within 30 to 60 minutes. This makes diagnosing pulmonary embolism difficult to achieve before the patient’s death. Even when a pulmonary embolism is not fatal, symptoms may not always appear, thus, diagnosing pulmonary embolism can be difficult.

The symptoms of pulmonary embolism can include: shortness of breath, rapid breathing, chest pain, anxiousness, lightheadedness, fainting, seizures, productive cough, and excessive sweating. Diagnosing pulmonary embolism can be relatively easy when there are obvious risk factors and symptoms, though oftentimes diagnosing pulmonary embolism is more complex.

There are a myriad of medical diagnostics available for diagnosing pulmonary embolism. When a person develops symptoms of pulmonary embolism, has been diagnosed with DVT, or has some of the risk factors for these conditions, a medical professional may conduct a physical examination for the purpose of ruling out or diagnosing pulmonary embolism. The following diagnostic tests can help a medical professional in diagnosing pulmonary embolism.

A chest x-ray can reveal the subtle changes in a patient’s blood vessels which may indicate pulmonary embolism. An electrocardiogram may also produce information helpful in diagnosing pulmonary embolism. A lung perfusion scan is one of the most effective tests for diagnosing pulmonary embolism. This procedure is often performed in conjunction with a lung ventilation scan. An ultrasound, pulmonary angiography, CT scan, and/or blood tests can also be used in diagnosing pulmonary embolism.

Recent reports have revealed that women who use the Ortho Evra contraceptive patch, approved by the FDA in 2001, may triple their risk of developing blood clots and related complications. In phase three of clinical trials conducted before the patch was approved two cases of pulmonary embolism had been diagnosed in patients who were using the birth control patch. Since this medication was approved, several women have been diagnosed with pulmonary embolism thought to be caused by Ortho Evra. If you or a loved one has used the Ortho Evra patch and the risks of pulmonary embolism, please contact us to speak with a qualified and experienced attorney who can help.

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Diagnosing Pulmonary Embolism

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