Pulmonary Embolism

Body Systems › Cardiovascular System › Pulmonary Embolism
Cardiovascular Clinical reference

Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism is obstruction of pulmonary vasculature, usually from DVT. Massive PE can cause obstructive shock and cardiac arrest. Risk stratified by hemodynamic stability.

PE pulmonary thromboembolism lung clot
Terms
2
ICD-10
8
Evidence
5
Trials
8
Latest evidence

Latest evidence

Core official overview

What this condition is

What is a pulmonary embolism (PE)?A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a sudden blockage in a lung artery. It usually happens when a blood clot breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs. PE is a serious condition that can cause:Permanent damage to the lungsLow oxygen levels in your bloodDamage to other organs in your body from not getting enough oxygenPE can be life-threatening, especially if a clot is l…

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Condition family & coding

Terms and documentation support

Condition matches & synonyms

Terms

Related diagnostic names, synonyms, and documentation wording that may appear in clinical references and charting.

Pulmonary embolism Pulmonary infarction

ICD-10 quick links

Codes

For study support, terminology recognition, and documentation language.

I27.82 Chronic pulmonary embolism Z86.711 Personal history of pulmonary embolism I26.01 Septic pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale I26.09 Other pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale I26.90 Septic pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale I26.99 Other pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale I26.03 Cement embolism of pulmonary artery with acute cor pulmonale I26.04 Fat embolism of pulmonary artery with acute cor pulmonale
Common tests

Tests performed

CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) D-dimer ABG ECG Troponin BNP Echocardiogram Compression ultrasound
Common medications

Recognize the drug and the class

Heparin IV (immediate) Enoxaparin Rivaroxaban Apixaban tPA (massive PE) Warfarin (bridge)
Related nursing diagnoses

NANDA diagnoses & care plans

Use these direct links to open nursing diagnoses and care-plan support related to Pulmonary Embolism.

Impaired Gas Exchange Decreased Cardiac Output Acute Pain Anxiety Risk for Shock
Recruiting clinical trials

Additional official research

RECRUITING PHASE2

129Xe MRI Cardiopulmonary

NCT06038630

The goal of this NIH-sponsored study is to characterize three biomarkers derived from 129Xe gas exchange MRI and to understand how they change in response to interventions.

RECRUITING N/A

COVID-19 Coagulopathy Extension Study

NCT05334615

At the University of Iowa, the investigators led a multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing standard prophylactic dose to intermediate dose enoxaparin in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (NCT04360824). As part of an exploratory b…

RECRUITING PHASE4

Avoiding Risks of Thrombosis and Bleeding in Surgery (ARTS) Trial

NCT06523959

Avoiding Risks of Thrombosis and bleeding in Surgery (ARTS) trial is a pragmatic, international, multicenter, randomized controlled open label trial comparing a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) - oral factor Xa inhibitor apixaban - to no a…

Official education links

Plain-language study support

Useful for plain-language reinforcement and quick review.

Pulmonary Embolism What is a pulmonary embolism (PE)?A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a sudden blockage in a lung artery. It usually happens when a blood clot breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs. PE is a serious condition that can cause:Permanent damage to the lungsLow oxygen levels in your bloodDamage to other organs in your body from not getting enough oxygenPE can be life-threatening, especially if a clot is l… Deep Vein Thrombosis Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. Most deep vein clots occur in the lower leg or thigh. If the vein swells, the condition is called thrombophlebitis. A deep vein thrombosis can break loose and cause a serious problem in the lung, called a pulmonary embolism.Sitting still for a long time can make you more likely to get a DVT. Some medicines and disorders that increas… Pulmonary Hypertension What is pulmonary hypertension? Pulmonary hypertension, sometimes called PH, is a serious condition that affects the blood vessels in the lungs. It develops when the blood pressure in your lungs is higher than normal.Your heart pumps blood to your lungs so they can add oxygen to the blood. The blood goes back to your heart. From there, it travels to the rest of your body so that your tissues can get the oxygen that… Blood Clots What is a blood clot?A blood clot is a mass of blood that forms when platelets, proteins, and cells in the blood stick together. When you get hurt, your body forms a blood clot to stop the bleeding. After the bleeding stops and healing takes place, your body usually breaks down and removes the blood clot. But sometimes the blood clots form where they shouldn't, your body makes too many blood clots or abnormal blood…