American Journal of Nursing Science

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Pulmonary Embolism: A Literature Review

Received: 06 November 2017    Accepted: 08 November 2017    Published: 24 November 2017
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Abstract

Pulmonary embolism is the blockage of a branch of the pulmonary artery by a substance that has traveled from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream. The majority of pulmonary embolisms are caused by venous thromboembolism but in some cases it may also come from other sources (fat, injuries, orthopedic surgeries or amniotic fluid during childbirth). The aim of this retrospective study is to highlight some important information about the pulmonary embolism. Extensive review of the recent literature was conducted in electronic database Medline and via the link of the Greek Association of Academic Libraries (HEAL-Link). Pulmonary embolism can be immediately a life threatening situation. Cause of the disease is the blockage of an artery in the lungs usually by a clot (clogging). Pulmonary embolism is divided into (a) small and medium size (b) multiple pulmonary emboli, and (c) massive pulmonary embolism. There are several factors that affect the occurrence of pulmonary embolism such as age over 40 years, major surgery, fractures, particularly those of the basin and prolonged bed stay (more than five days). The treatment of pulmonary embolism and its diagnosis should be direct because many times even today people lose their lives, despite the tremendous development of diagnostic tools.

DOI 10.11648/j.ajns.s.2018070301.19
Published in American Journal of Nursing Science (Volume 7, Issue 3-1, June 2018)

This article belongs to the Special Issue Nursing Education and Research

Page(s) 57-61
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Pulmonary Embolism, Pathophysiology, Clinical Presentation, Diagnostic Tests, Treatment

References
[1] Patakas D. Otorhinolaryngology. Publishing University Studio Press, Thessaloniki, 2006.
[2] Girtovitis F. Prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disease in thrombophilic patients. Haema 2014, 5(1): 41-53.
[3] Tsakali A., Kefalopoyloy Z., Papadoulas S., Argitis B., Liamis A., Tsolakis I. Deep venous thrombosis: etiology, prophylaxis, treatment. Greek Vascular Surgery 2007, 8(9): 251-258.
[4] “Pulmonary Embolism” July 23 2017. www.iatrikionline.gr
[5] DeLuca E., Watson A., Osborn K. Pulmonary Embolism [In] Osborn K., Wraa C., Watson A. Pathological and Surgical Nursing. Publishing Pachalidis, 2012.
[6] Lemone P., Burke K. Pathological and Surgical Nursing. Volume 3, Publishing Lagos, 2007.
[7] Mabrouk B., Anis C., Hassen D., Leila A., Daoud S., Hichem K., Mohamed S., Hatem K., Mounir B. Pulmonary thromboembolism: incidence, physiopathology, diagnosis and treatment. Tunis Med 2015, 92(7):435-47.
[8] Akiros D. Handbook of cardiology nursing. Medical Publications Parisianow, 2009.
[9] Stagaki E., Apostolakis S., Karakontaki F., Tsaramirsi M., Poluchronopoulos B., Konstantinidis S. Pulmonary Thromboembolic Disease. Hellenic Cardiological Review 2012, 53: 159-173.
[10] Mandala E., Lafaras X. Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolic disease in hospitalized patients - Risk stratification. Hellenic Medicine 2010, 76(1):9-18.
[11] Tsilimidos G., Marinis A. Review of the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach of Pulmonary Embolism. Epistimonika Xronika 2013, 18(2):88-91.
[12] Kapetaniou A. Pulmonary embolism-Diagnosis and treatment. Medical Analects 2011, (3)9:390-394.
[13] European Society of Cardiology. (2014). 2014 ESC Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism. The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
[14] Golbhaber S. Pulmonary embolism, in: Cardiology-Diagnosis and Treatment. Publishing Pachalidis, 2009.
[15] Mismetti P., Bertoletti L. Initial management of venous thromboembolism. Rev Prat 2015, 65(2):193-8.
[16] Banovac F., Buckley D., Kuo W., Lough D., Martin L., Millward S., Clark W., Kundu S. Reporting Standards for Endovascular Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2010, 21:44–53.
[17] Schellhaaß Α., Walther Α., Konstantinides S., Böttiger B. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Pulmonary Embolism. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2010, 107(34–35): 589–95.
[18] Papalampros Th. Karmaniolas K. Postoperative venous thrombosis. Archia Ellinikis Iatrikis 2000, 17(3): 273-284.
[19] Meyer G., Couturaud F. Long-term treatment of venous thromboembolism. Rev Prat 2015, 65(2):208-13.
[20] KearonC., Akl E., Comerota A., Prandoni P., Bounameaux H., Goldhaber S. Z., Nelson M. E., Wells P. S., Gould M. K., Dentali F., Crowther M., Kahn S.R. Antithrombotic Therapy for VTE Disease Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest 2012, 141(2):419–494.
[21] Piovella F., Iosub DI. Acute pulmonary embolism: risk assessment, risk stratification and treatment options. Clin Respir J 2015, 2(3):35-76.
[22] Zacharas I., Mpalanos D. Pulmonary Embolism. Topics of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care 2014, 24(29):249-252.
[23] Wärntges S., Konstantinides SV. Progress in the management of acute pulmonary embolism. Curr Opin Pulm Med 2015, 21(5):417-24.
Author Information
  • Department of Nursing, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

  • Department of Nursing, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

  • Department of Nursing, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

  • General Hospital of Alexandroupoli, Alexandroupoli, Greece

  • Department of Nursing, Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

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  • APA Style

    Kourkouta Lambrini, Koukourikos Konstantinos, Iliadis Christos, Ouzounakis Petros, Tsaloglidou Areti. (2017). Pulmonary Embolism: A Literature Review. American Journal of Nursing Science, 7(3-1), 57-61. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajns.s.2018070301.19

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    ACS Style

    Kourkouta Lambrini; Koukourikos Konstantinos; Iliadis Christos; Ouzounakis Petros; Tsaloglidou Areti. Pulmonary Embolism: A Literature Review. Am. J. Nurs. Sci. 2017, 7(3-1), 57-61. doi: 10.11648/j.ajns.s.2018070301.19

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    AMA Style

    Kourkouta Lambrini, Koukourikos Konstantinos, Iliadis Christos, Ouzounakis Petros, Tsaloglidou Areti. Pulmonary Embolism: A Literature Review. Am J Nurs Sci. 2017;7(3-1):57-61. doi: 10.11648/j.ajns.s.2018070301.19

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajns.s.2018070301.19,
      author = {Kourkouta Lambrini and Koukourikos Konstantinos and Iliadis Christos and Ouzounakis Petros and Tsaloglidou Areti},
      title = {Pulmonary Embolism: A Literature Review},
      journal = {American Journal of Nursing Science},
      volume = {7},
      number = {3-1},
      pages = {57-61},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajns.s.2018070301.19},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajns.s.2018070301.19},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajns.s.2018070301.19},
      abstract = {Pulmonary embolism is the blockage of a branch of the pulmonary artery by a substance that has traveled from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream. The majority of pulmonary embolisms are caused by venous thromboembolism but in some cases it may also come from other sources (fat, injuries, orthopedic surgeries or amniotic fluid during childbirth). The aim of this retrospective study is to highlight some important information about the pulmonary embolism. Extensive review of the recent literature was conducted in electronic database Medline and via the link of the Greek Association of Academic Libraries (HEAL-Link). Pulmonary embolism can be immediately a life threatening situation. Cause of the disease is the blockage of an artery in the lungs usually by a clot (clogging). Pulmonary embolism is divided into (a) small and medium size (b) multiple pulmonary emboli, and (c) massive pulmonary embolism. There are several factors that affect the occurrence of pulmonary embolism such as age over 40 years, major surgery, fractures, particularly those of the basin and prolonged bed stay (more than five days). The treatment of pulmonary embolism and its diagnosis should be direct because many times even today people lose their lives, despite the tremendous development of diagnostic tools.},
     year = {2017}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Pulmonary Embolism: A Literature Review
    AU  - Kourkouta Lambrini
    AU  - Koukourikos Konstantinos
    AU  - Iliadis Christos
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    AB  - Pulmonary embolism is the blockage of a branch of the pulmonary artery by a substance that has traveled from elsewhere in the body through the bloodstream. The majority of pulmonary embolisms are caused by venous thromboembolism but in some cases it may also come from other sources (fat, injuries, orthopedic surgeries or amniotic fluid during childbirth). The aim of this retrospective study is to highlight some important information about the pulmonary embolism. Extensive review of the recent literature was conducted in electronic database Medline and via the link of the Greek Association of Academic Libraries (HEAL-Link). Pulmonary embolism can be immediately a life threatening situation. Cause of the disease is the blockage of an artery in the lungs usually by a clot (clogging). Pulmonary embolism is divided into (a) small and medium size (b) multiple pulmonary emboli, and (c) massive pulmonary embolism. There are several factors that affect the occurrence of pulmonary embolism such as age over 40 years, major surgery, fractures, particularly those of the basin and prolonged bed stay (more than five days). The treatment of pulmonary embolism and its diagnosis should be direct because many times even today people lose their lives, despite the tremendous development of diagnostic tools.
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