Pulmonary Embolism (cont.)
Medical Author:
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhDDr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications. Medical Editor:
George Schiffman, MD, FCCP
George Schiffman, MD, FCCPDr. Schiffman received his B.S. degree with High Honors in biology from Hobart College in 1976. He then moved to Chicago where he studied biochemistry at the University of Illinois, Chicago Circle. He attended Rush Medical College where he received his M.D. degree in 1982 and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He completed his Internal Medicine internship and residency at the University of California, Irvine. IN THIS ARTICLE
Pulmonary Embolism Follow-upAfter a patient is discharged from the hospital, they will be monitored very closely by a doctor. Patients need to stay in close contact with their doctor to monitor their condition and make medication adjustments as necessary. A blood test called the prothrombin time is monitored. Since each lab reagent can potential differ, the patients blood is compared to the labs test blood. The ratio of the patient test value to the lab test value is called the international normalized ratio or INR. This test looks at the level of blood thinning that the medication is achieving. At first, a patient's blood may be checked every few days or weekly. Once the INR stabilizes in the therapeutic range of 2-3, less frequent checks will occur (perhaps every 2-4 weeks). Next Page: Must Read Articles Related to Pulmonary Embolism
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Viewer Comments & ReviewsPulmonary Embolism (Blood Clot In The Lung) - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:Please describe your symptoms of pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung). Pulmonary Embolism (Blood Clot In The Lung) - TreatmentsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What was your treatment for your pulmonary embolism |
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Pulmonary Embolism »
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and potentially lethal disease; unfortunately, the diagnosis is often missed because patients with PE present with nonspecific signs and symptoms.
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