Is Pulmonary Embolism Caused By A Blood Clot?

Hello, Thank you for your question. Yes pulmonary embolism (PE) caused by a blood clot. PE is a form of venous thromboembolism that is common and sometimes fatal. Once the diagnosis is made, the mainstay of therapy for patients with confirmed PE is anticoagulation, depending upon the risk of bleeding. The major adverse outcomes associated with PE include: recurrent thromboembolism- depends upon factor including adequate therapeutic anticoagulation and the clinical nature of the embolic event. Patients with pulmonary embolism should be monitored for the following: laboratory, early complication of PE, late complications of PE, complications of therapy for PE, risk of recurrence and bleeding. Blood clots in the legs cause different symptoms depending on whether the clots form in veins deep in the leg or in the veins near the surface of the skin. Blood clots in the deep veins of the legs are the most dangerous. Clots in the deep veins can cause swelling, pain and warmth and redness in the involved leg. Blood clots in the veins near the surface of the skin are more painful, and can cause redness or infection. Clotting may occur for several reason include injury, surgery, reduced mobility or inactivity, certain medication. But there are many differential diagnosis of dorsal foot pain (top of the foot) such as tendonitis cause by overuse or tight-fitting shoes, fractures of bones in the feet, gout, bone spurs, peripheral neuropathy. If you think you have a blood clot in your leg, go to see your doctor right away. Blood clot in the veins near the surface of the skin are less dangerous. But blood clots in the deep veins of the leg are more serious and are more likely to travel to the lungs. Your doctor can do tests to find out if you do have a clot and where it is. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Best regards, Dr. Heang Chan Raksmey, Family and General Physician.