Pulmonary Embolism Treatment

Pulmonary embolism treatment will vary depending on the severity of the patient's symptoms. Treatment may include medications (such as warfarin or heparin), emergency treatment (such as surgical removal of the blood clot), vena cava filters, or other options.

 

An Introduction to Pulmonary Embolism Treatment

The primary goals of pulmonary embolism treatment are:
 
  • To keep the blood clot or clots that are lodged in the lungs from getting bigger
  • To stop the development of new clots.
 
Pulmonary embolism treatment may include:
 
  • Medications
  • Emergency treatment to dissolve a clot
  • Other treatments.
 
Pulmonary embolism treatment will vary depending on the severity of the patient's symptoms. Severe symptoms need to be treated immediately, while mild symptoms can be treated with outpatient care.
 

Pulmonary Embolism Treatment: Medications

There are two types of medications that can be used for pulmonary embolism treatment.
 They are:
 
  • Anticoagulants
  • Thrombin inhibitors.
 
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, decrease the blood's ability to clot. Anticoagulants are used to stop clots from getting bigger and to prevent blood clots from forming. However, anticoagulants do not break up blood clots that have already formed. Anticoagulants can be taken:
 
  • As a pill (warfarin)
  • As an injection or shot (heparin)
  • Intravenously, or through an IV (heparin).
 
Heparin and warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®) may be given at the same time. Heparin will act quickly, while warfarin will take two to three days before it will start to work. Once the warfarin is working, the heparin will be stopped.
 
However, pregnant women cannot take warfarin, so they will be treated only with heparin.
 
Treatment with anticoagulants usually lasts for three to six months. However, the following situations may change the length of treatment:
 
  • If a blood clot occurred after a short-term risk like surgery, treatment may be shorter.
 
  • If you have had clots before, longer treatment will be needed.
 
  • If you have another illness (like cancer) that you are being treated for, treatment will be needed as long as those risk factors are present.
 
The most common side effect of anticoagulants is bleeding. You should call your doctor immediately if you are taking warfarin or heparin and have easy bruising or bleeding. Warfarin also interacts with many other medications. Therefore, you should tell your doctor all of the medications you are on, including over-the-counter medications. 
 
Thrombin inhibitors
Thrombin inhibitors are new medications that interfere with the clotting process. Thrombin inhibitors are used to treat some types of clots and for patients who cannot take heparin.
 
(Pulmonary Embolism Treatment Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD