Pulmonary Embolism Treatment in India
About Pulmonary Embolism
Key Highlights
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Rapid diagnosis and treatment are critical for survival and reducing long-term lung damage.Anticoagulant therapy is highly effective at preventing new clots and allowing the body to dissolve the existing one.Advanced interventional procedures can be life-saving for massive, high-risk pulmonary embolisms.Management by a pulmonologist ensures comprehensive care, addressing both the acute event and potential chronic respiratory sequelae.Treatment significantly reduces the risk of recurrence and complications like chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).
Who is this surgery for?
- Sudden onset of shortness of breath (dyspnea), sharp chest pain (often worse with deep breaths), and coughing (sometimes with blood).
- Clinical signs like rapid heart rate (tachycardia), low blood oxygen levels (hypoxia), and leg swelling/pain suggesting deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- Confirmation of a clot in the pulmonary arteries via diagnostic imaging (CT pulmonary angiography or V/Q scan).
- High-risk or massive PE causing low blood pressure (hypotension) or shock, requiring urgent intervention beyond blood thinners.
- Contraindication to standard anticoagulant therapy, necessitating alternative treatments like an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter.
How to prepare
- Immediate assessment in an emergency department upon symptom presentation.
- Rapid blood tests, including D-dimer, to assess clotting activity.
- Administration of supplemental oxygen and stabilization of vital signs.
- For planned interventions (like catheter procedures), blood tests to check clotting function and kidney health.
- Briefing on the planned procedure, risks, benefits, and obtaining informed consent.
- Discontinuation of certain medications as advised (e.g., other blood thinners).
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding complications from anticoagulant therapy, ranging from minor bruising to life-threatening internal hemorrhage.
- Allergic reaction to contrast dye used in imaging or thrombolytic drugs.
- Damage to blood vessels or surrounding organs during catheter-based procedures.
- Recurrence of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis.
- Development of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) as a long-term complication.
- Complications from prolonged immobility, such as hospital-acquired infections or pressure sores.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial hospital stay for monitoring, oxygen therapy, and stabilization on anticoagulant medication.
- Gradual mobilization as tolerated to prevent new clots and improve circulation.
- Strict adherence to prescribed blood thinners for a minimum of 3-6 months, often longer.
- Regular follow-up appointments with the pulmonologist to monitor recovery, adjust medication, and assess for complications like CTEPH.
- Lifestyle modifications: staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged immobility, wearing compression stockings if advised, and possibly avoiding high-risk activities that could cause bleeding.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation may be recommended to improve lung function and exercise capacity.
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Typical hospital stay:
5-10 days
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Expected recovery time:
3-6 months for full therapeutic anticoagulation; lifelong monitoring for some
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering pulmonary embolism in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for pulmonary embolism in India include Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Manipal Hospital Varthur Road, Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform pulmonary embolism. MediFyr helps you compare pulmonologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for pulmonary embolism compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 150 Thousand – 800 Thousand | 5-10 days | ~ 3-6 months for full therapeutic anticoagulation; lifelong monitoring for some | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 525 Thousand – 2.8 Million | 5-10 days | ~ 3-6 months for full therapeutic anticoagulation; lifelong monitoring for some | Know More |
Top hospitals for Pulmonary Embolism in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated pulmonology teams and experience managing patients undergoing pulmonary embolism.
Hyderabad, India
20 Doctors
Navya Khan, a 42-year-old software engineer...
Navya Khan, a 42-year-old software engineer and mother of two, had recently returned to work after maternity leave. A long-haul flight to visit family in India three weeks prior left her with lingering leg discomfort. She began experiencing sudden, sharp chest pain and profound shortness of breath while walking to a meeting. Terrified she was having a heart attack, she went to the ER. A CT pulmonary angiogram confirmed a large pulmonary embolism (PE). Her pulmonologist, Dr. Chen, explained that a clot from her leg had traveled to her lungs. Given the clot's size and her symptoms, Dr. Chen recommended immediate treatment with catheter-directed thrombolysis, a minimally invasive procedure to deliver clot-busting medication directly to the blockage. During the procedure, Navya was sedated but aware. She felt immense relief as her breathing eased even on the table. After a few days in the hospital on blood thinners, she was discharged. Her recovery involved several weeks of anticoagulant therapy and gradual return to activity. Emotionally, she swung from the initial panic of a life-threatening event to guilt over being unable to care for her newborn fully, and finally to gratitude for the rapid intervention. The experience prompted her to advocate for awareness of travel-related clotting risks among her colleagues.
Pulmonologists for Pulmonary Embolism
Explore experienced pulmonologists who regularly perform pulmonary embolism and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 15 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 23 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 24 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 22 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 20 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 35 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 33 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
- 33 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 32 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Hyderabad
- 32 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 29 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
- 26 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 15 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 14 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 12, Noida
- 12 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 8 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 7 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 12, Noida
- 6 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 4 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada