TY - JOUR
T1 - The clinical course of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism
AU - van Beek, E. J.
AU - Kuijer, P. M.
AU - Büller, H. R.
AU - Brandjes, D. P.
AU - Bossuyt, P. M.
AU - ten Cate, J. W.
PY - 1997
Y1 - 1997
N2 - BACKGROUND: The outcome of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism is known to a limited extent only. OBJECTIVE: To address this limited knowledge in a cohort in whom pulmonary embolism was proved or ruled out. METHODS: Consecutive patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism underwent lung scintigraphy and angiography if required. Pulmonary embolism was excluded by normal results of a lung scan or angiogram, and, if so, anticoagulant therapy was withheld. Pulmonary embolism was proved with a high-probability perfusion-ventilation lung scan or a confirmatory angiogram if a nondiagnostic lung scan was obtained. These patients were treated with heparin intravenously and anticoagulants orally on a long-term basis. All patients were followed up for 6 months, with a special focus on recurrent thromboembolism, bleeding complications, and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 487 consecutive inpatients and outpatients were included. Pulmonary embolism was excluded or proved in 243 and 193 patients, respectively. In 51 patients a definite diagnosis could not be established. The overall prevalence of pulmonary embolism was 39%. In patients in whom pulmonary embolism was proved, excluded, or uncertain, recurrent venous thromboembolism was observed in 2.6%, 0.9%, and 2%, respectively. Serious bleeding complications occurred in 7 patients (3.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8%-6.3%), 2 cases of which were fatal. The total mortality after 6 months in patients with proved or excluded pulmonary embolism was 17% (95% CI, 12%-23%) and 11% (95% CI, 7%-15%), respectively. Death was related to (recurrent) pulmonary embolism in 5% and 0% of these cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: During a 6-month period, recurrent pulmonary embolism occurred in approximately 5 patients (2.5%) who were treated for a previous episode. Fatal bleeding complications attributable to the use of anticoagulants were encountered in 1%. The mortality among patients with suspected pulmonary embolism was considerable. However, most deaths were unrelated to pulmonary embolism, but were the result of serious underlying illnesses
AB - BACKGROUND: The outcome of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism is known to a limited extent only. OBJECTIVE: To address this limited knowledge in a cohort in whom pulmonary embolism was proved or ruled out. METHODS: Consecutive patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism underwent lung scintigraphy and angiography if required. Pulmonary embolism was excluded by normal results of a lung scan or angiogram, and, if so, anticoagulant therapy was withheld. Pulmonary embolism was proved with a high-probability perfusion-ventilation lung scan or a confirmatory angiogram if a nondiagnostic lung scan was obtained. These patients were treated with heparin intravenously and anticoagulants orally on a long-term basis. All patients were followed up for 6 months, with a special focus on recurrent thromboembolism, bleeding complications, and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 487 consecutive inpatients and outpatients were included. Pulmonary embolism was excluded or proved in 243 and 193 patients, respectively. In 51 patients a definite diagnosis could not be established. The overall prevalence of pulmonary embolism was 39%. In patients in whom pulmonary embolism was proved, excluded, or uncertain, recurrent venous thromboembolism was observed in 2.6%, 0.9%, and 2%, respectively. Serious bleeding complications occurred in 7 patients (3.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8%-6.3%), 2 cases of which were fatal. The total mortality after 6 months in patients with proved or excluded pulmonary embolism was 17% (95% CI, 12%-23%) and 11% (95% CI, 7%-15%), respectively. Death was related to (recurrent) pulmonary embolism in 5% and 0% of these cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: During a 6-month period, recurrent pulmonary embolism occurred in approximately 5 patients (2.5%) who were treated for a previous episode. Fatal bleeding complications attributable to the use of anticoagulants were encountered in 1%. The mortality among patients with suspected pulmonary embolism was considerable. However, most deaths were unrelated to pulmonary embolism, but were the result of serious underlying illnesses
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.157.22.2593
DO - https://doi.org/10.1001/archinte.157.22.2593
M3 - Article
C2 - 9531228
SN - 0003-9926
VL - 157
SP - 2593
EP - 2598
JO - Archives of Internal Medicine
JF - Archives of Internal Medicine
IS - 22
ER -