Diagnosis | Pulmonary embolism in pregnancy

Diagnosis

A pulmonary embolism is an absolute emergency that must be recognized and treated quickly, otherwise cardiovascular failure and death can quickly occur. The doctor asks the patient about risk factors and carries out a physical examination. On the basis of the results, the doctor uses the so-called well score to estimate the probability of the presence of a pulmonary embolism and decides on the further procedure. An ECG or ultrasound of the heart may show signs of right heart strain due to the backed-up blood. Blood is also taken and a certain parameter, the D-dimers, is determined, which are found in fresh DVT and pulmonary embolism.

Prognosis

The prognosis of a pulmonary embolism during pregnancy depends on several factors. These include the severity of the disease, the age of the patient and how quickly treatment is initiated. An untreated pulmonary embolism has a high mortality rate and even with adequate therapy 8% of patients die. About 30% of patients who survive a pulmonary embolism retain a permanent functional disorder of the lungs.

Duration

The duration of pulmonary embolism varies greatly from individual to individual and is therefore difficult to predict. With appropriate treatment, the blocked pulmonary vessels open within a few days. Nevertheless, patients must take it easy and maintain strict bed rest, otherwise there is a risk of relapse.

All articles in this series:

  1. Pulmonary embolism in pregnancy
  2. How often does a pulmonary embolism occur during pregnancy?
  3. Diagnosis