Clinical profile and short-term outcomes of patients admitted with acute pulmonary embolism in a tertiary care centre

Background: Venous thromboembolism is a major contributor to the global disease burden, with an incidence of around 10 million cases per year and substantially associated morbidity and mortality. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the clinical, laboratory, and radiological profile along with electrocardiogram and echocardiogram changes and the treatment and outcomes in patients admitted with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in a tertiary care centre. The etiologies and risk factors of the same were also evaluated. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based prospective observational study conducted among 31 patients over a period of 18 months. The study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in the Department of General Medicine. Patients of age more than 12 years, admitted with a confirmed diagnosis of acute PE based on computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), were included in the study. Results: Thrombolysis was done in 12.9% cases, while anticoagulants were given in 87.1% cases. Oxygen therapy was required in 74.2% cases on day 1 while in 9.7% on day 30. Secondary pulmonary hypertension was the commonest complication observed in the study, in 54.8% cases. Severe hypoxia was seen in 35.4% cases. No complications were seen in 6.4% cases. Mortality was recorded in 9.6% of the cases. Conclusion: Since PE is among the leading causes of death and disability, there should be a high degree of suspicion in all clinical settings. And since prolonged immobilisation is a strong risk factor for PE patients at risk, they should be offered prophylactic anticoagulation.