PE

Question 1

What is a PE?

Answer 1

When a thrombus (or part of) breaks of from the deep veins and lodges in the pulmonary arteries

Question 2

Symptoms of small PE?

Answer 2

• Pleuritic chest pain
• Dyspnoea
• Haemoptysis
• Tachycardia

Question 3

Signs of small PE?

Answer 3

• Pleural rub on auscultation
• Accessory breathing
• Pursed lip breathing
• Cyanosis

Question 4

Symptoms of large PE?

Answer 4

• Severe sudden onset dyspnoea
• Collapse
• Tachycardia
• Low BP

Question 5

Signs of large PE?

Answer 5

• Cyanosis
• Raised JP
• Altered heart sounds
• Sudden death

Question 6

Tests on clinical assessment?

Answer 6

• D dimer blood test
• Isotope ventilation
• V/Q scan
• CT pulmonary angiogram

Question 7

What technique can be used to reduce risk of DVT and therefore PE in venous stasis patients?

Answer 7

• Anti embolism stockings

Question 8

What should be done for large PE’s?

Answer 8

• Thrombolysis

- Vena cava filter

Question 9

Drugs that can be used to prevent PE?

Answer 9

• LMW heparin
• Fondaparinux
• Warfarin