Four years retrospective study on clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of patients with pulmonary embolism admitted in Tikur Anbessa Specialized hospital medical ward
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Date
2021-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background
Pulmonary
embolism
is
the
third
common
cardiovascular
problem
globally.
It
is
a
potentially
lethal
condition
and
frequently
underdiagnosed.
The
severity
and
clinical
presentation
of
PE are
variable.
Hence,
correct
diagnosis
is
dif
cult. Prompt diagnosis of PE
is essential to reduce mortality. Most of the data on the natural history, risk factors and
clinical outcomes of PE comes from the Western population and there is lack of data in
Africa and in Ethiopia specifically. This study assessed the clinical characteristics, risk
factors and outcomes of PE patients in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia to fill
the information gap we have.
Objective- to assess the clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of PE patients
admitted in TASH medical ward from December 2016 G.C.to July 2020 G.C.
Methods- A hospital based retrospective study was done in 60 patients who were admitted in
TASH medical ward from December 2016 G.C.to July 2020 G.C. with the main diagnosis of
PE confirmed by chest CT with contrast and CTPA. All patients who had complete data wereincluded in the study and their medical charts were reviewed. Data were analysed using SPSS
26 and descriptive analysis was used.
Results- A total of 60 patients studied. Of those 56.7% are females. The median age of
patients was 44.6 years. Majority (95%) of the patients were symptomatic and the most
common presenting symptoms were; shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, leg swelling and
hemoptysis accounting 75%, 50%, 41.7%, 33.3% and 13.3 % each respectively. At
presentation 95% were tachypenic, 76.7% tachycardic and 11.7% were hemodynamically
unstable. 80% of the studied patients had one or more risk factors for PE. From those risk
factors; active cancer, major surgery, peri and post-partum period and immobilization all
together accounts the majority (83.3%). 6(10%) patients died in medical ward, 16.7%
transferred to medical ICU and 73.3% were discharged improved.
Conclusions and Recommendations- More than half of PE patients were females and 60%
were younger than 45 years old.
95% of patients were symptomatic. Majority of the patients
admitted had one or more risk factors. Active cancer, major surgeries, peri and post-partum
and immobilization constituent the most common risk factors.
The coverage of
thromboprophylaxis should be increased focusing on patients who have the above risk factors. And further study should be done which shows the effect of those risk factors on
patients’ outcomes.
Description
Keywords
Pulmonary embolism, clinical characteristics, risk factors, outcome, Tikur Anbessa Specialised Hospital, Ethiopia