Trends in pulmonary embolism mortality in the US elderly population: 1984 through 1991

This study determined race-, age- and sex-specific trends in 30-day pulmonary embolism mortality rates.

Medicare beneficiaries with a primary or secondary discharge diagnosis of pulmonary embolism from 1984 to 1991 (n = 391,991) were examined.

For a primary diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, mortality rates declined by 15.2% and 16.0%, respectively, for White male patients 65 to 74 years old and 75 years or older. There was a corresponding decline in mortality rates for White women. For a secondary diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, mortality rates declined by 14.7% and 9.8%, respectively, for White male patients 65 to 74 years old and 75 years or older.

The White mortality rate declines revealed in this study did not translate, in all cases, to Black patient groups.