Question

Imagine a pulmonary embolus breaking up and entering the pulmonary artery supplying blood to an entire lobe of the left lung, blocking 75% of the pulmonary arterioles in that lobe. Describe the effects on the arterioles and bronchioles in this lobe in response to this event.

Answer 1

Pulmonary embolus - is defined as embolism in which emboli occlude pulmonary arterial tree.

Consequences -

1. Pulmonary infarction -

Small pulmonary emboli do not produce infarcts . However emboli can produce infarcts in CHF or congestive heart failure and heart disease.

2. Pulmonary hemorrhage -

This is due to obstruction of pulmonary arteries by emboli.

3. Pulmonary hypertension -

Due to recurret pulmonary emboli leads to blockage of arterial bed leading to right ventricular failure.