A 43-year-old woman is being evaluated in the surgery department because of severe central chest pain, mild shortness of breath, and one episode of coughing up blood. Two days ago, she underwent a total hip arthroplasty with no operative complications. CT pulmonary angiogram shows a right lower lobe pulmonary artery occlusion consistent with pulmonary embolism but no evidence of pulmonary infarction. Which of the following is the most likely reason for the lack of lung tissue necrosis in this patient?

Question

A 43-year-old woman is being evaluated in the surgery department because of severe central chest pain, mild shortness of breath, and one episode of coughing up blood. Two days ago, she underwent a total hip arthroplasty with no operative complications.    CT pulmonary angiogram shows a right lower lobe pulmonary artery occlusion consistent with pulmonary embolism but no evidence of pulmonary infarction.  Which of the following is the most likely reason for the lack of lung tissue necrosis in this patient?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: The lungs are supplied by dual circulation from both the pulmonary and bronchial arteries.  This collateral circulation can help protect against lung infarction due to pulmonary artery occlusion (ie, pulmonary embolism), as the bronchial circulation can continue to provide blood to the lung parenchyma.The lungs are supplied by dual circulation from both the pulmonary and bronchial arteries.  This collateral circulation can help protect against lung infarction due to pulmonary artery occlusion (ie, pulmonary embolism), as the bronchial circulation can continue to provide blood to the lung parenchyma.

A 43-Year-Old Woman Is Being Evaluated in the Surgery Department