[Clinically non-symptomatic pulmonary embolism in patients with deep vein thrombosis of the lower limb]

The pulmonary embolism (PE) is the common and severe complication of the deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs. The lack of accurate diagnosis of PE is a cause of 5-10% of the hospital deaths. The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of the pulmonary embolism in patients with the deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs with no clinical symptoms of pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy was performed in 25 patients with angiographic findings confirmative to the deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs. The results of the study were analysed according to the PIOPED criteria. In the group of patients with common thrombosis of the deep vein a high probability of lung embolism was assessed in 70%, medium and low by 12% in each group, and very low in 6%. In the group of patients with femoral thrombosis of the deep vein a high probability of lung embolism was assessed in 60%, medium in 20% and very low in 20%. In the group of patients with calf thrombosis of the deep vein high, medium and very low probability of lung embolism was assessed by 25% in each group. Results of this study indicate the need of searching the pulmonary embolism in patients with thrombosis of the deep vein of the lower limbs despite the lack of clinical symptoms of the pulmonary embolism.