Pascal Dupuis

Most of the people that read my blog know I love to watch ice hockey, and also know that I especially like the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Today, the Penguins announced that winger Pascal Dupuis has a a "blot clot in his lung."  This is more specifically a pulmonary embolism.   A few months ago, I blogged about how American Idol contestant, Michael Johns, lost his life due to a pulmonary embolism.

The Penguins say that Pascal had chest pain and was evaluated and the embolism was found.  He apparently had a blood clot in his leg (DVT = deep vein thrombosis) that traveled to his lungs.  A DVT in the leg is, in and of itself, not the problem.  However, it can cause very painful leg swelling and inflammation.  The problem is if that blood clot breaks away and travels to the lungs it can be deadly.  Most people would go to the ER if they had trouble breathing, but people need to take sudden painful swelling in the leg just as seriously.  Immobilization after injury, as well as being seated for long periods of time (eg, a long airplane trip), can be a couple of the common causes.

Pascal will be unable to play hockey for at least 6 months as he will need to be on anti-coagulants, or blood thinners, for at least that time to prevent further clots.  As most of you know, hockey is a contact sport and blunt trauma and blood thinners are not a good combination.

The Penguins say that Pascal should be able to return to hockey.  Unfortunately, however, this is his second blood clot.  One has to wonder if he would want to risk coming off anti-coagulation as he is obviously prone to developing thrombi in this body.  I guess time will tell, but either way, he will have to closely watch for developing symptoms for the rest of his life.

The Passing of Michael Johns

I was saddened to read that a few days ago, former American Idol contestant, Michael Johns, had passed away due to a blood clot after twisting his ankle.  I do not watch American Idol much anymore, but back in 2008 I rarely missed an episode.  I do remember Michael Johns competing.

At 35 years old this is a tragic loss.  Fortunately, blood clots after twisting an ankle leading to death are very rare.  However, blood clots in the legs are not uncommon.  The clot in the leg is not what is fatal but instead it is the blood clot "breaking off" and traveling to the lungs that can lead to death.  This is called a pulmonary embolism.

How do blood clots form in the legs?  Well, there are large veins in the legs and when a person does not move his or her legs for a long period of time there is no muscular activity to help the blood return to the heart.  This blood can then pool in a vein in the leg causing a deep vein thrombus (DVT).

I am not sure of the facts but it seems that Michael Johns twisted his ankle and it was causing him severe pain.  It was too painful to move and he probably stayed off of it.  A blood clot formed and likely traveled to the singer's lungs.

This could have been possibly prevented if the singer sought medical advice.  A possible sign of a DVT is severe calf pain and swelling.  If this happens seek medical attention right away.  An ultrasound can be done to determine if a DVT is present or a blood test called a D-dimer can be done to see if a clotting process is present.

RIP Michael Johns.  Hopefully, some good can come out of this tragedy by educating people on the dangers of this condition.