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[Pulmonary embolism in general medicine. Characteristics and diagnostic elements]
La Semaine Des Hopitaux : Organe Fonde Par L'Association D'Enseignement Medical Des Hopitaux De Paris
|April 1, 1978
Summary
Pulmonary embolism (PE) affected 2% of internal medicine admissions, causing 9% of deaths. Diagnostic tests like ECG and blood gas analysis are crucial for identifying PE in hospitalized patients.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Cardiopulmonary Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.
- Understanding the incidence and outcomes of PE in a general internal medicine setting is essential for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the natural history and clinical characteristics of pulmonary embolism (PE).
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of various paraclinical examinations in PE diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 7,843 internal medicine admissions over a 4-year period.
- Assessment of the incidence of PE, associated mortality, and post-mortem findings.
- Evaluation of electrocardiography (ECG), lung scintigraphy, and blood gas analysis for diagnostic value.
Main Results:
- Pulmonary embolism (PE) was observed in 2% of admissions.
- PE accounted for 9% of all deaths within the department.
- Post-mortem examinations revealed PE in 22% of cases, highlighting its underdiagnosis.
- ECG, lung scintigraphy, and blood gas analysis showed varying degrees of utility in diagnosing PE.
Conclusions:
- Pulmonary embolism (PE) represents a substantial diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in internal medicine.
- Early and accurate diagnosis through appropriate paraclinical examinations is critical for improving patient outcomes.
- The study underscores the importance of considering PE in patients presenting with relevant symptoms, even in a general medical setting.