Pulmonary Embolization Types
Blood Clot Types Based on Location
The type of pulmonary embolism depends on the condition of the patient, severity of symptoms and location of the blood clot. Blood clots can be found in smaller branches of pulmonary arteries, but they also form in the main pulmonary arterial in lungs. This disrupts normal lung function. Following are some types pulmonary embolism based on the location of blood clots into the pulmonary artery:
- Saddle pulmonary emphysema (PE)
The saddle pulmonary embolism is a major pulmonary arterial embolism which occurs at the bifurcation between the left and right pulmonary arteries. When a patient is diagnosed with saddle pulmonary embolism it means that it’s a life-threatening condition and they need immediate medical attention.
- Lobar Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
PE is a term used to describe the formation of blood clots in large branches and segments of pulmonary arteries. Multiple blood clots can be found in different segments of the lung arteries.
- Distal Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
The term distal pulmonary embolism refers to blood clots that have spread into the small branches of pulmonary arteries. Small thrombi wedged in the distal arteries leading to the lungs from the lower extremities result in less hemodynamic impairment but more pleuritic pain in the chest. In distal pulmonary emphysema, there is an infarction in the lungs that causes ineffective gas transfer at the alveolar and arterial level. This leads to lower oxygen levels.
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