Skip to main content

Pulmonary Embolism, Pediatric

Akinyemi Ajayi, MBBS, FAAP, FCCP, FAASM Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Occlusion of a pulmonary vessel by a thrombus 

EPIDEMIOLOGY

  • Pulmonary embolism (PE) is seen more frequently in adults and tends to occur in postsurgical situations, especially when pat...

DIAGNOSIS

ALERT

Failure to make the diagnosis is the most common mistake.

  • PE must be suspected in critically ill children who have a central venous catheter in place and subsequently develop sudden resp...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Initial stabilization 
  • Stabilize patient before anticoagulation or thrombolytic therapy is begun:

    • Improve oxygenation.

    • Correct acidosis.

    • Stabilize blood pressure.

    • Analgesia for se...

ONGOING CARE

Patients receiving warfarin therapy should have the usual follow-up for those receiving an anticoagulant. 

PROGNOSIS

  • If treated promptly, prognosis is good.

  • If treatment is delayed, especial...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Agha BS, Sturm JJ, Simon HK, et al. Pulmonary embolism in the pediatric emergency department. Pediatrics.  2013;132(4):663–667. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Biss TT, Brandão ...

CODES

ICD9

415.19 Other pulmonary embolism and infarction 

ICD10

I26.99 Other pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale 

SNOMED

  • 59282003 Pulmonary embolism (disorder)

  • 233935004 Pulmonary thromboembolis...

FAQ

  • Q: Is it safe for children on warfarin to play contact sports?

  • A: The general recommendation is that no contact sports should be allowed while children are on warfarin therapy because of the increa...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

 
×