Patient's question:
Recently, I've been experiencing chest pain and tightness in my chest. The hospital examination indicated a respiratory disease, but the medication hasn't been very effective. Recently, my cough has worsened. How is pulmonary embolism treated in the emergency department?Doctor's answer:
Pulmonary embolism is a critical and life-threatening emergency. Recurrence requires timely treatment for the best outcome. Its recurrence is due to either endogenous or exogenous emboli, which block the main pulmonary artery or its branches, thereby causing pulmonary circulation obstruction. It often presents as an acute recurrence, which can be devastating. Therefore, it must be taken seriously and given high importance.The symptoms and signs of pulmonary embolism are varied and lack many specific manifestations. Misdiagnosis is common due to pulmonary embolism, leading to many severe situations. Angiography is the most accurate indicator for diagnosing pulmonary embolism, serving as the gold standard. Thrombolytic therapy is necessary when speed is of the essence, as it may dissolve the thrombus, restore blood flow completely, and potentially reverse right heart failure. However, it must be noted that...