Guest guest Posted December 17, 2001 Report Share Posted December 17, 2001 A pulmonary embolism can occur in anyone at any time. However, it usually occurs secondary to a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) or an MI (myocardial infarction, the medical term for a heart attack). It has recently been noted that primary pulmonary emboli (those that do not occur secondary to the above events) are more common in people who are taking a class of antihypertensive drugs known as ACE inhibitors. These drugs include Capoten and Accupril. While people have been known to " throw an embolus " after surgery, this usually occurs in people who have a prior history of one of the problems above. As long as you turn, cough, deep breathe and walk after surgery this is not a major concern. Additionally, most surgeons order Heparin (an anticoagulant) after surgery to drop the risk of pulmonary emboli even lower. > I just don't get it....what causes them? Is it the inactivity, the > anestesia, bleeding from the surgery, or all of the above? > > For some reason, the damn things have me scared out of my wits... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2001 Report Share Posted December 17, 2001 , Thanks! So just the usual ankle/leg swelling and poor leg circulation that many of us MO's have isn't enough to pre-dispose one to them? How about veinous stasis? Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2001 Report Share Posted December 17, 2001 Whoa! I take accupril! How new is this info? Thanks, dee --- dantevolta2001 wrote: It has recently been noted that primary pulmonary emboli (those that do not occur secondary to the above events) are more common in people who are taking a class of antihypertensive drugs known as ACE inhibitors. These drugs include Capoten and Accupril. __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2001 Report Share Posted December 17, 2001 Hi, I am new to the list. I just wanted to say that i have had several abdominal surgeries and during surgery and right after they put special hose on my legs to guard against embolism as well as administered Heprin. It is a risk, but a small one. For that matter, women who take birth control or replacement estrogen are at risk. Anyone who doesn't move around a lot ( office workers, truck drivers). Not just surgery patients. My doctor has advised me ( I work in front of a computer) to take a break at least every two hours and to RUB my legs to increase the circulation. Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2001 Report Share Posted December 17, 2001 Yes, ankle and leg swelling plus poor circ. can easily lead to venous stasis and leg ulcers. If you have any of these problems, be sure to list them as co-morbidities if your ins. co. asks. Diabetes also pre-disposes people to these problems. In duodenalswitch@y..., " jjamineteoj " <jjamineteoj@y...> wrote: > , > > Thanks! So just the usual ankle/leg swelling and poor leg > circulation that many of us MO's have isn't enough to pre-dispose one > to them? > > How about veinous stasis? > > Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2001 Report Share Posted December 17, 2001 A pulmonary embolism is caused by blood pooling in the lower legs. This blood may clot and the clot travel to the lungs, causing a PE. Best- Nick Pulmonary Embolism > I just don't get it....what causes them? Is it the inactivity, the > anestesia, bleeding from the surgery, or all of the above? > > For some reason, the damn things have me scared out of my wits... > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2001 Report Share Posted December 17, 2001 Some hospitals use special pneumatic devices on your feet & /or lower legs that massage them to prevent DVT. Nick Re: Re: Pulmonary Embolism > Hi, > I am new to the list. I just wanted to say that i have had several > abdominal surgeries and during surgery and right after they put special > hose on my legs to guard against embolism as well as administered > Heprin. It is a risk, but a small one. For that matter, women who take > birth control or replacement estrogen are at risk. Anyone who doesn't move > around a lot ( office workers, truck drivers). Not just surgery patients. > My doctor has advised me ( I work in front of a computer) to take a break > at least every two hours and to RUB my legs to increase the circulation. > > Pat > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.