The cornerstone in the treatment of pulmonary embolism is the use of medications called anticoagulants or “blood thinners”. Such medications slow down the formation of blood clots to allow the body’s natural system to remove the clots. 

 

In severe pulmonary embolism where it is necessary to clear the blood clot quickly to re-establish blood flow for oxygenation of blood, thrombolytic therapy such as a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which is a clot dissolving enzyme may be used. Surgical or catheter directed procedures are sometimes used to clear the clot in the lungs. At SGH we have a pulmonary embolism response team which consist of different specialist who come together to manage patients who may be seriously ill. 

 

The main complication of treatment with anticoagulation medications is bleeding. It is important to have regular follow up consultations and necessary blood tests to prevent and reduce the bleeding risks. We have a well-established anticoagulation monitoring service for our patients on anticoagulation.