Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Overview

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition that often causes death in all age groups. It usually occurs as a result of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clot.

When a blood clot occurs somewhere in the body (often in the legs or pelvic region), the danger is that it will break off or embolize and travel through the blood stream to the lungs. These clots may then block pulmonary (lung) blood vessels, causing low oxygen levels in the blood, permanent damage to the lungs and other organs, and ultimately death.

A blood clot that results in a pulmonary embolism may cause sudden death. Some of the deaths reported from Ortho Evra users have been a result of a pulmonary embolism.

According to emedicine.com, PE is a leading cause of death in the United States and at least 650,000 people experience pulmonary embolism each year. Of these cases, more than 60,000 deaths result, usually within the first 30 to 60 minutes after symptoms begin. It is also estimated to be the first or second cause of unexpected death.

Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms

Symptoms of pulmonary embolism may include chest, back, shoulder or abdominal pain, tenderness of the chest, shortness of breath, painful breathing, high fever, coughing or wheezing. Other symptoms have also been reported. Many patients who suffer PE, however, report none of these symptoms.

High-dose estrogen medications such as the Ortho Evra birth control patch are known risk factors for pulmonary embolism.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Pulmonary Embolisms

While DVT and PE can be difficult to diagnose and are often missed by doctors and technicians, they can be treated if caught early enough. An X-ray or scan may be able to detect a pulmonary embolism or blood clot.

Treatments for blood clots and PE include thrombolytic therapy, catheter-directed thryombolysis (CDT), anticoagulant therapy (bloodthinner drugs such as warfarin, coumadin, lovenox and heparin), bed rest, elevation of affected limb and pressure stockings.

If a clot embolizes (breaks off) and travels to the lungs, this is called a pulmonary embolism. Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism may include chest pain, shortness of breath, and increased heart or breathing rate.