Home Health Center
Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary Embolism - Causes
Causes of Pulmonary Embolism
One of the main causes of pulmonary embolism is the presence of a blood clot or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) somewhere else in the body.
DVT are most commonly found in the legs but can also develop in the arms or the abdominal cavity.
Other ways an embolus can form and clog the pulmonary artery are:
- When a bone is fractured, fat from the bone marrow can escape into the blood and form an embolus
- A traumatic childbirth can force amniotic fluid into the veins in the pelvis and form an embolus
- Cancer cells can develop in to tumor emboli
- Surgery, intravenous catheters, and chest compressions used during resuscitation efforts can force air bubbles in to the veins
- Scuba diving can also cause air bubbles to enter the veins
- Intravenous drug use can cause infected material to form emboli and travel through the circulatory system
- Heart valve infections
- Inflammation or infection of a vein could result in blood cloth formation and pulmonary embolism