A pulmonary embolism is a condition where a blood clot gets stuck in an artery of the lung, thus preventing blood flow. Most of the time, the blood clot travels to the lung from a deep vein in the leg. Formation of blood clot in one or more deep veins in your body, especially in your legs, can lead to swelling and pain in the legs.

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Pulmonary Embolism Causes

There are many causes of pulmonary embolism, like:

• Blood collecting or “pooling” in a specific part of your body (usually leg or arm). Blood usually pools after long periods of inactivity, such as after surgery or bed rest.

• Injuries to a vein include fractures or surgery (especially in your pelvis, hip, knee, or leg).

• Another medical condition, such as cardiovascular disease (including atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, stroke, or heart attack).

• An increase or decrease in your blood’s clotting factors. Elevated clotting factors can occur with some types of cancer or in some people taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills. Abnormal or low clotting factors may also happen due to blood clotting disorders.

Occasionally, blockages in the blood vessels are caused by substances other than blood clots, such as:

• Fat from the inside of a long broken bone
• Part of a tumor
• Air bubbles

Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms

The symptoms of pulmonary embolism depend on how much of your lungs are involved, the size of the clots, and whether you have any underlying heart or lung disease. Some common symptoms include:

• Sudden shortness of breath — whether you’ve been active or at rest.

• Unexplained sharp pain in your chest, arm, shoulder, neck, or jaw. The pain may also be similar to symptoms of a heart attack.

• Cough with or without bloody mucus.

• Pale, clammy, or bluish skin.

• Rapid heartbeat (pulse).

• Excessive sweating.

• Sometimes, feeling anxious, lightheaded, faint, or passing out.

• Wheezing.

Who Are At Risk Of Developing Pulmonary Embolism?

People at risk of developing PE include those who:

• Have a blood clot in their leg or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

• Are inactive for long periods while traveling via motor vehicle, train, or plane (such as a long, cross-country car ride).

• Have recently had trauma or injury to a vein, possibly after a recent surgery, fracture, or from varicose veins.

• Taking birth control pills (oral contraceptives) or hormone replacement therapy

• Currently smokes.

• Have a history of heart failure or stroke.

• Have overweight (a Body Mass Index or BMI greater than 25)/obesity (a BMI greater than 30).

• Are pregnant or have given birth in the previous six weeks

• Received a central venous catheter through their arm or leg.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Pulmonary Embolism?

Certain medical conditions can increase your chances of developing pulmonary embolism, such as:

• Heart-related diseases such as heart failure, CAD, valve-related conditions, etc.

• Certain cancers like brain cancer, kidney cancer, breast cancer, ovary cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, and colon cancer.

• Surgeries like joint replacement surgery.

• Genetic disorders affecting the clotting of the blood

• Covid-19

What Are The Complications Of Pulmonary Embolism?

If left untreated, pulmonary embolism can be fatal. A pulmonary embolism that is undetected and untreated results in about one-third of patients dying: however, that number drastically decreases when the problem is identified and adequately addressed.

Pulmonary embolism can lead to the following complications:

• Chronic pulmonary hypertension
• Weakening of the heart
• Scarring of the pulmonary artery

Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis

Mainly, a pulmonary embolism can be challenging to identify if you have a heart or lung condition at the root of your symptoms. So your healthcare provider will first discuss your medical history and physical fitness with you before recommending the diagnostic tests.

Some of the diagnostic tests for pulmonary embolism include:

• Blood tests (oxygen level check, D-dimer test, to check for inherited clotting disorder)

• Ultrasound (duplex ultrasonography)

• CT angiogram

• Ventilation-perfusion scan (nuclear scan to detect clots in your lungs)

• MRI

• Chest X-ray

Pulmonary Embolism Treatment In India

Treating a pulmonary embolism stops the blood clot from growing and prevents additional clots from developing. Prompt treatment is crucial to avoid fatal consequences or significant complications.

1. Medications

• Blood Thinners: Anticoagulants like Herapin are given to prevent existing clots from getting more extensive and new clots from forming while your body works to break up the clots.

• Clot Dissolvers: Sometimes, clot-dissolving medicines called thrombolytics are given to dissolve clots effectively.

2. Surgical And Other Procedures

• Clot Removal:  Your healthcare professional may use a thin, flexible catheter placed through your arteries to remove a sizable, potentially fatal clot from your lung if you have the condition.

• Vein Filter: A catheter can likewise situate a channel in the body’s focal vein, the second-rate vena cava, that leads from your legs to the right half of your heart. The filter may assist in preventing clots from reaching your lungs.

Pulmonary Embolism Treatment Cost In India

The cost of pulmonary embolism treatment in India depends on many factors, such as the extent of the disease, size of the clot, underlying disease affecting the situation, etc. If the condition is not severe, it can be treated with medicines, costing below $500 monthly. Surgical and other procedures (invasive procedures) can cost between $1000 to $6000.

Pulmonary Embolism Treatment Hospitals In India

There are many reputed hospitals for pulmonary embolism treatment in India. These hospitals are known for their cutting-edge medical equipment and renowned doctors. The hospitals are also known for their palliative care.

Pulmonary embolism treatment hospitals in India are:

1. Sri Ramchandra Medical Center, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
2. Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra
3. Gleneagles Global Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana
4. Batra Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Delhi
5. Fortis Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
6. Venkateshwar Hospital, Delhi
7. Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Paschim Vihar, Delhi
8. Care Institue of Medical Sciences, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
9. Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra
10. Medanta The Medicity, Gurugram, Haryana

FAQs on Pulmonary Embolism Treatment In India

1. What are the warning signs of pulmonary embolism?

The warning signs of pulmonary embolism include:

• Shortness of breath that appears suddenly 

• Chest pain that may become worse when breathing in that is so sharply felt you may think you have a heart attack

• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or passing out due to a sudden loss in blood pressure 

• Cough, which may contain blood

• Leg pain or swelling

• Pain in your back

• Excessive sweating

• Blueish lips or nails

2. What blood test is done for lung clots?

If you are experiencing symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood, your doctor may order a D-dimer blood test. This test measures the levels of a substance called D-dimer in your blood. D-dimer is produced when a blood clot breaks down.

A high D-dimer level in your blood can indicate a pulmonary embolism. However, a high D-dimer level can also be caused by other conditions, such as infection or recent surgery. Therefore, a D-dimer test is not a definitive diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism. If your D-dimer level is high, your doctor may order additional tests, such as a CT scan or a lung ultrasound, to confirm the diagnosis.

3. What is the cost of pulmonary embolism treatment in India?

Pulmonary embolism treatment cost in India for medicines is between $100 to $500 per month, while the cost of surgical methods is between $1000 to $5000.

4. What is the first sign of pulmonary embolism?

If you experience shortness of breath and chest pains that worsen with exertion or deep breaths, along with coughing up bloody mucus, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. These could be the initial signs of pulmonary embolism.

5. Can you live a long life after a pulmonary embolism?

Survival following a pulmonary embolism (PE) is influenced by various factors such as age, underlying medical conditions, and the size of the blood clot. Mortality rates after a PE can range from 5% to 15%, although they can vary higher or lower depending on the individual circumstances.

The above article has been proofread by our in-house health expert Dr Alok Pandey, physician (MBBS).

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