Acute pulmonary embolus in the course of cancer

9Citations
Citations of this article
55Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) is relatively high in patients with advanced chronic diseases, particularly with malignancies. Most patients with cancer have blood coagulation test abnormalities indicative of up-regulation of the coagulation cascade, increased platelet activation and aggregation. Pulmonary thromboembolismis common in patients with any cancer and incidence is increased by surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and disease progression.Manifestations range from small asymptomatic to life-threatening central PE with subsequent hypotension and cardiogenic shock. Diagnostic algorithms utilizing various noninvasive tests have been developed to determine the pretest probability of PE results of D-dimer assay, chest radiography ECG and computed tomography. The mortality in untreated PE is high (30%) but appropriate treatment may decrease it to 2-18%. The current recommended treatment for massive pulmonary embolus is either thrombolytic therapy or surgical embolectomy.

Author supplied keywords

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Biedka, M., Ziółkowska, E., & Windorbska, W. (2012). Acute pulmonary embolus in the course of cancer. Wspolczesna Onkologia. Termedia Publishing House Ltd. https://doi.org/10.5114/wo.2012.31766

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free