Can pulmonary embolism be safely prevented by blood thinning? | Prevention of pulmonary embolism

Can pulmonary embolism be safely prevented by blood thinning?

The most common cause of a pulmonary embolism is a blood clot. This has usually formed over a long period of time in a leg vein. At some point, it has separated and has reached the heart with the bloodstream.

From there it was pumped into the lungs, where it blocked a pulmonary artery and caused an embolism. This type of disease can be prevented by thinning the blood. In most cases, “ordinary” blood thinning with drugs like Marcumar® or Xarelto® is sufficient.

However, even for the uncomplicated cases under this therapy, there is no reliable exclusion of pulmonary embolism. However, before the uncomplicated case is assumed, possible coagulation disorders must be excluded. Special attention must be paid to this clinical picture during blood-thinning therapy, as it plays a decisive role in the success of the treatment.

In general, therapy with blood thinners always has to find a middle course that balances the risk of a blood clot against the risk of a dangerous bleeding. For example, pulmonary embolism cannot be prevented with absolute certainty by blood thinners, but the risk is significantly reduced with the right medication.