Pathologic Function
pulmonary embolism
pul·mo·nar·y em·bo·lism [ puhl-muh-ner-ee, poo l- em-buh-liz-uhm ]
Subclass of:
Lung diseases;
Embolism
Also called:
Blood clots in the lung
Definitions related to pulmonary embolism:
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An embolus (that is, an abnormal particle circulating in the blood) located in the pulmonary artery and thereby blocking blood circulation to the lung. Usually the embolus is a blood clot that has developed in an extremity (for instance, a deep venous thrombosis), detached, and traveled through the circulation before becoming trapped in the pulmonary artery.Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2021
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Blockage of one or more arteries in the lungs by a blood clot that formed elsewhere, often in the legs. Typically accompanied by sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
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Blocking of the PULMONARY ARTERY or one of its branches by an EMBOLUS.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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The obstruction of blood flow by an embolus within the pulmonary circulation.NICHD Pediatric TerminologyU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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The obstruction of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches by an embolus, sometimes associated with infarction of the lung.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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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 lungs; Low oxygen levels in your blood; Damage to other organs in your body from not getting enough oxygen. PE can be life-threatening, especially if a clot is large, or if there are many clots. The cause is usually a blood clot in the leg called a deep vein thrombosis that breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream to the lung. Anyone can get a pulmonary embolism (PE), but certain things can raise your risk of PE: Having surgery, especially joint replacement surgery; Certain medical conditions, including Cancers; Heart diseases; Lung diseases; A broken hip or leg bone or other trauma. Hormone-based medicines, such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy; Pregnancy and childbirth. The risk is highest for about six weeks after childbirth.; Not moving for long periods, such as being on bed rest, having a cast, or taking a long plane flight; Age. Your risk increases as you get older, especially after age 40.; Family history and genetics.MedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the occlusion of pulmonary arteries by thrombi that originate elsewhere, typically in the large veins of the legs or pelvis. Risk factors for pulmonary embolism are conditions that impair venous return, conditions that cause endothelial injury or dysfunction, and underlying hypercoagulable states. Symptoms of...Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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Pulmonary emboli usually arise from thrombi that originate in the deep venous system of the lower extremities; however, they rarely also originate in the pelvic, renal, upper extremity veins, or the right heart chambers (see the image below). After traveling to the lung, large thrombi can lodge at the bifurcation of the main pulmonary...WebMD, 2019
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Pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs. In most cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from deep veins in the legs or, rarely, from veins in other parts of the body (deep vein thrombosis).Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a consequence of thrombus formation in distal veins, most commonly those of the deep venous system of the lower extremities. Thrombus formation in the venous system occurs as a result of venous stasis, trauma, and hypercoagulability. These factors are collectively known as Virchow triad. Approximately 51% of...Athenahealth, Inc., 2019
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Pulmonary embolism, obstruction of a pulmonary artery or one of its branches. The pulmonary arteries carry blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs. A pulmonary embolism may be the result of a blood clot that has formed elsewhere, has broken loose, and has traveled through the...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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