Understanding Pulmonary Embolism: A Deadly Medical Emergency
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a blood clot, usually from the deep veins of the legs or pelvis, travels to the lungs and blocks a pulmonary artery. This obstruction can severely reduce oxygen flow to the lungs and other vital organs, leading to sudden death if not promptly diagnosed and treated. Unfortunately, PE is often misdiagnosed or not treated in time, making it a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. At Lupetin & Unatin, LLC, we have extensive experience with cases such as this. Understanding the symptoms, risk factors, and proper medical care for PE is crucial for patients and their families, especially in cases where medical negligence may have played a role.
What Is Pulmonary Embolism and Why Is It a Medical Emergency?
Pulmonary embolism is a blockage of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, usually caused by blood clots that have traveled from deep veins in the legs (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). Once a clot lodges in the lung, it restricts blood flow and can cause severe damage to lung tissue, impair oxygen exchange, and strain the heart. If the clot is large or if multiple clots are present, the consequences can be fatal within minutes to hours. Because PE can be rapidly fatal, immediate medical attention is necessary to reduce the risk of death or permanent injury.
Prevalence and Incidence of Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism is a major health concern in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PE, along with deep vein thrombosis, affects up to 900,000 Americans each year. Of these cases, approximately 60,000 to 100,000 result in death, many within the first few hours of symptom onset. PE is also responsible for up to 10% of all in-hospital deaths. Despite being a common and potentially fatal condition, it is frequently underdiagnosed or mismanaged.
Who Is at Risk for Developing Pulmonary Embolism?
Certain individuals are at a higher risk of developing pulmonary embolism, including those who:
- Have a history of blood clots or a family history of clotting disorders
- Are immobile for long periods, such as after surgery, during hospitalization, or prolonged travel
- Have recently undergone surgery, particularly orthopedic procedures like hip or knee replacements
- Are pregnant or have recently given birth
- Use hormonal birth control or hormone replacement therapy
- Suffer from cancer or are undergoing chemotherapy
- Have conditions such as obesity, heart disease, or stroke
- Smoke or have other lifestyle factors that contribute to poor circulation
Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism
PE symptoms vary depending on the size of the clot and the patient’s overall health. The most common symptoms include:
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Sharp chest pain that may worsen with deep breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Coughing, sometimes with bloody mucus
- Dizziness or fainting
- Leg swelling or pain, especially if one leg is noticeably swollen or tender
- Bluish skin (cyanosis) in severe cases
Because these symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions like heart attacks, pneumonia, or anxiety, misdiagnosis is a serious concern.
What Should a Patient Do If They Have Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism?
Anyone experiencing symptoms suggestive of PE should seek emergency medical care immediately. Time is critical, and waiting to see if symptoms resolve can be deadly. If a doctor dismisses symptoms without appropriate testing, patients should seek a second opinion.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Pulmonary Embolism?
To accurately diagnose PE, doctors should use a combination of:
- Medical history and physical examination to assess risk factors and symptoms
- D-dimer blood test to detect clot formation (though not definitive on its own)
- CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA)—the gold standard imaging test for PE
- Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan for patients who cannot undergo CT scans
- Ultrasound of the legs to detect DVT, the most common source of PE
- Echocardiogram in cases where PE has caused strain on the heart
Failure to order the appropriate tests in a timely manner can result in delayed or missed diagnosis, leading to catastrophic consequences.
How Is Pulmonary Embolism Treated?
Treatment for PE typically includes:
- Anticoagulants (blood thinners): Medications like heparin and warfarin prevent clot growth and reduce future clot risk.
- Thrombolytic therapy: Clot-busting drugs such as alteplase (tPA) are used in life-threatening cases.
- Surgical or catheter-based removal: In severe cases, a catheter-directed thrombolysis or surgical thrombectomy may be necessary.
- Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters: These may be placed in patients who cannot take blood thinners to prevent future clots from reaching the lungs.
What Is the Medical Standard of Care for Pulmonary Embolism?
The standard of care requires timely recognition, testing, and treatment of suspected PE cases. Physicians should:
- Assess risk factors for PE in hospitalized or post-surgical patients and provide preventative anticoagulation if necessary
- Recognize PE symptoms and order appropriate diagnostic tests without delay
- Promptly initiate treatment to prevent complications or death
Failure to follow these standards can constitute medical malpractice.
When Should a Patient Suspect Medical Malpractice?
A patient may suspect malpractice if a doctor:
- Failed to recognize PE symptoms and dismissed complaints as anxiety or another minor condition
- Did not order necessary diagnostic tests despite clear symptoms and risk factors
- Delayed treatment, leading to severe complications or death
- Failed to provide preventative measures (such as anticoagulants) in high-risk patients
- Failure to monitor patients for abnormal vital signs or other symptoms of respiratory distress.
Legal Cases Involving Pulmonary Embolism and Medical Malpractice
- $7.7 Million Verdict (Florida, 2018): A woman died after a hospital failed to diagnose PE despite clear symptoms. The jury found that doctors neglected to order appropriate testing.
- $2.5 Million Settlement (New York, 2020): A patient suffered permanent disability after a hospital misdiagnosed PE as pneumonia.
- $9 Million Verdict (Illinois, 2016): A young woman died after an ER physician failed to recognize PE symptoms. The hospital was held liable for negligence.
- $4 Million Settlement (California, 2021): A man’s PE went undiagnosed for days, leading to fatal cardiac arrest. A delayed CT scan contributed to the misdiagnosis.
What Should You Do If You or a Loved One Has Suffered from Pulmonary Embolism?
If you or a loved one has suffered due to a missed or delayed PE diagnosis, you may have legal options. Consulting an experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you determine whether negligence played a role and what steps to take next.
How Lupetin & Unatin Can Help
At Lupetin & Unatin, we are dedicated to fighting for patients and families who have suffered due to medical negligence. Our Pittsburgh medical malpractice attorneys have extensive experience handling cases involving delayed or misdiagnosed pulmonary embolism. We work with medical experts to review your case, determine liability, and pursue the justice and compensation you deserve. If you suspect medical malpractice played a role in a pulmonary embolism case, contact us for a free case evaluation.