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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes A Clot Inside The Lung Of An Elderly Person?

My dad was just diagnosed with a clot on his lung. He was sent by ambulance to the hospital and the doctors have him on medication to try to dissolve the clot??????? Did I get the right information... is it possible for the clot to diminished or vanish????? He is 92 years old. They say he will stay in the hospital until they see that it is gone. Thank you.....
Thu, 6 Aug 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,
I can understand you concern.
It seems as a case of pulmonary embolism where a clot gets in the artery that extends from the heart to the lungs.
Did your father have sudden breathless and pain in the chest?? Did he turn blue?? With the info that he had to be rushed i appears as these might have been present.
This can be potentially life threatening if not mananged adequately.
This is usuaully treated with thrombolytics like streptokinase, urokinase amongst others.
Since you are saying medication had been given to break the clot, this appears to be the mostsuitable diagnosis. This definitely lyses the clots.
Anticoagulants like warfarin would be advised in such a case to prevent further clots and other tests would be required to know the cause.
Since your father has received treatment the risk of mortality reduces drastically.
Donot worry follow the medications prescribed.
Feel free to ask further queries.
Thanks for choosing HCM
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What Causes A Clot Inside The Lung Of An Elderly Person?

Hello, I can understand you concern. It seems as a case of pulmonary embolism where a clot gets in the artery that extends from the heart to the lungs. Did your father have sudden breathless and pain in the chest?? Did he turn blue?? With the info that he had to be rushed i appears as these might have been present. This can be potentially life threatening if not mananged adequately. This is usuaully treated with thrombolytics like streptokinase, urokinase amongst others. Since you are saying medication had been given to break the clot, this appears to be the mostsuitable diagnosis. This definitely lyses the clots. Anticoagulants like warfarin would be advised in such a case to prevent further clots and other tests would be required to know the cause. Since your father has received treatment the risk of mortality reduces drastically. Donot worry follow the medications prescribed. Feel free to ask further queries. Thanks for choosing HCM