Case Study: Patient Analysis
The patient presents with dyspnea (difficulty breathing) and unilateral left leg pain with swelling and erythema, all of which suggest an underlying cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary condition (Chizner, 2023). Given her history of recent airplane travel, oral contraceptive use, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a likely diagnosis is deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which has contributed to a pulmonary embolism (PE).
DVT is the formation of a blood clot, usually in the deep veins of the legs. Prolonged immobility during air travel, oral contraceptive use (which increases estrogen levels and clotting risk), and SLE (autoimmune disease associated with a hypercoagulable state) all increase the likelihood of DVT. The unilateral leg swelling, erythema, and pain support the diagnosis of DVT (Chizner, 2023). If the clot dislodges and travels to the lungs, it can cause a PE, which explains the patient’s dyspnea and increased respiratory rate. The elevated heart rate and mild fever may also be secondary signs of PE (Walke & Pohekar, 2021).
Ethnic and racial factors can be affecting this case. African American women with SLE have higher risks of cardiovascular complications, including thromboembolic events, compared to other racial groups (Garg et al., 2023). There may also be genetic predispositions related to clotting for different ethnic groups.
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