Tromboembolismo polmonare nel cane e nel gatto: diagnosi e terapia

Abstract

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a partial or total occlusion of one or more pulmonary vessels by a thrombus or embolus. Several diseases, associated to hypercoagulability, vascular endothelium damage and/or blood flow alterations, are considered risk factor for this pathology. One of the most important pulmonary consequence of PTE is hypoxia due to altered gas exchanges and pulmonary edema. Moreover, PTE can cause increased right afterload and consequently right ventricular dilatation and myocardial hypertrophy. PTE diagnosis represents a challenge for clinicians due to lack of specific clinical signs, accurate diagnostic tests and adequate veterinary research. In clinical practice, ultrasound, angiography CT and MRI are the most useful exams for PTE diagnosis. PTE therapy includes vital functions support, and anticoagulant and antithrombotic therapy. The most used drugs are heparin, aspirin and clopidogrel.