Clinical factors associated with death from acute pulmonary embolism in Thailand
Article Category: Brief communication (Original)
Published Online: Jan 31, 2017
Page range: 129 - 132
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5372/1905-7415.1002.473
Keywords
© 2016 Pattarapong Makarawate, Narumol Chaosuwannakit, Theerayut Thongkrau, Chaiyapon Keeratikasikorn, Kittisak Sawanyawisuth
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.
Background
Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is under diagnosed and may be fatal. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) showing right ventricular failure is associated with mortality in APE. In resource-limited facilities, clinical factors are crucial.
Objectives
We studied clinical factors that were associated with death from APE.
Methods
We enrolled patients with APE proven by CTPA between January 1, 2007 and July 31, 2011 at Khon Kaen University. Clinical factors associated with death from APE were studied by multiple logistic regression analysis. An online tool to assess risk of death from APE was also used.
Results
There were 81 eligible patients in the study. Of those, 20 patients (25%) died within 3 months. Clinical factors significantly associated with death were low systolic blood pressure (SBP), high pulse rate, and low oxygen saturation at presentation.
Conclusions
Initial systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, and oxygen saturation are associated with mortality from APE.