further check on the danger of Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary artery is the artery that transfer blood from the right ventricle to the lungs to oxygenate the blood.
And take particular note of the last sentence.
"Symptoms of pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism is a blockage of the pulmonary artery or its smaller branches due to dislocation of a blood clot (thrombus) or other bodies from the periphery, through which they enter in the pulmonary blood circulation. Embolism can cause blood clots, fat droplets, gases, foreign bodies, bacteria, parasites and the body cells.
The most common cause of pulmonary embolism is a thromboembolism in the deep veins of the lower extremities and pelvis. Thrombi can rarely come from the heart, if it is expanded or from superior vena cava.
Risk factors for a venous thrombosis of lower extremities are usually prolonged sitting and lying after surgery, tumors, blood coagulation disorders etc. Thrombi which are separated from their primary position carried by the blood may block pulmonary artery. Obturation of pulmonary artery causes a sudden increase of resistance and pressure in the pulmonary circulation leading to loading the right ventricle of the heart. If the load is large, the heart can not deflate enough blood which is known as cardiogenic shock.
Most pulmonary embolisms pass without symptoms, because small arteries are mostly closed. Obstruction of small branches of pulmonary arteries leads to infarction of the lungs, or the extinction of small segments of the lungs. However, if the affected area receives an additional circulation from the surrounding arteries it does not cause pulmonary infarction, but appears pulmonary hemorrhage.
If there is a blockage of the main pulmonary artery it performs immediate death. If the patient survives massive embolism, develops the heavy shock. Later appears difficult dyspnea (difficulties with breathing), the patient is very frightened, he/she has pain behind the sternum and cold sweating. Also develops pale cyanosis, blood pressure decreases, pulse is rapid, veins in the neck are swollen and liver gradually increases. If pulmonary embolism is less, the patient has a mild and short-term dyspnea, he/she is anxious, suddenly sweating, has tachycardia, has a moderate fever and primary disease worsens. Symptoms of pulmonary infarction occur 12-48 hours after pulmonary embolism. Suddenly appears pleural pain localized in the lower parts of the lungs. Pain can be projected to the neck or upper part of abdomen. Other symptoms include persistent cough, coughing up ichor, shortness of breath (dyspnea), tachycardia, fever, sometimes mild jaundice. Laboratory test show increased white blood cell count, sedimentation, bilirubin, and lactic acid dehydrogenase levels in the blood. The x-ray shows a characteristic triangular shadow and irregular or round shadow like at bronchopneumonia.
With early diagnosis and aggressive treatment, most patients will survive pulmonary embolism with low rate of recurrence."
