Venous thromboembolism; Lung blood clot; Blood clot - lung; Embolus; Tumor embolus; Embolism - pulmonary

• Chest pain
  • Under the breastbone or on one side
  • Especially sharp or stabbing
  • May also be described as a burning, aching, or dull, heavy sensation
  • May get worse with deep breathing, coughing, eating, bending, or stooping
  • You may bend over or hold his or her chest in response to the pain
• Cough
  • Begins suddenly
  • May cough up blood or blood-streaked sputum
• Rapid breathing
• Rapid heart rate
• Shortness of breath
  • May occur at rest or during activity
  • Starts suddenly

Other symptoms that may occur:

• Anxiety
• Bluish skin discoloration (cyanosis)
• Clammy skin
• Dizziness
• Leg pain in one or both legs
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Low blood pressure
• Lump associated with a vein near the surface of the body, may be painful
• Nasal flaring
• Pelvis pain
• Sweating
• Swelling in the legs
• Weak or absent pulse
• Wheezing

The following lab tests may be done to see how well your lungs are working:

• Arterial blood gases
• Pulse oximetry

The following imaging tests can help determine where the blood clot is located:

• Chest x-ray
• CT angiogram of the chest
• Pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scan
• Pulmonary angiogram

Other tests that may be done include:

• Chest CT scan
• Chest MRI scan
• D-dimer level
• Doppler ultrasound exam of an extremity
• ECG
• Echocardiogram
• Plethysmography of the legs
• Venography of the legs

Images

Lungs

Respiratory system

Pulmonary embolus

Review Date: 03/28/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)