Pulmonary artery, Pulmonary arterial thromboembolism [LMP92491]

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Image Details
Diagnostic Modality: 
Micrograph
Disease Category: 
Hemodynamic Disorders, Thromboembolic Disease and Shock
Diagnosis: 
Pulmonary arterial thromboembolism
Species: 
Human
Organ System: 
Blood Vessels
Diagnosis Code: 
ICD-10: I26
Slide Contributor Information
Stevenson, M., Pickup, M.

Keywords

pulmonary embolism, PE

Clinical History

Section from lung.

Clinical Discussion

A blood clot in the pulmonary artery is a life-threatening condition, often arising as a complication of deep vein thrombosis (e.g. of an immobilized leg). The cause of the thromboembolus was not specified in this case. Sections from the lung depict a pulmonary arterial thromboembolus. Features of recent formation include red blood cells layered with fibrin and platelets (lines of Zahn) and can be contrasted with older thromboembolus which show features of organization including cellular infiltration (macrophages and neovessels) found at the edges and progressing inward.