Khalil Abdulhussain Abd Ali Alzubeidy and Sabah Abed Shadhar
Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant medical emergency that demands prompt and specialized intervention. This study evaluates the clinical trajectory and therapeutic approaches for managing PE at a secondary care facility.
Patients and Methods: This retrospective study included all patients diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism at Al Zahraa Teaching Hospital in Al-Kut City, Iraq, from September 1, 2019, to March 1, 2022. Confirmation of diagnosis was through CT pulmonary angiography. We systematically recorded demographic, clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic data, along with treatment modalities. Follow-up lasted six months.
Results: A total of 55 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 46.58 ± 14.36 years; the majority were female. Shortness of breath emerged as the most common symptom, with immobility being the predominant predisposing factor. Most cases were classified as massive or submassive PE. Thrombolytic therapy was administered to 41.8% of the cohort, with all patients receiving anticoagulation therapy. The in-hospital mortality rates were 14.8% overall, 25.0% for massive PE, and 22.7% for submassive PE. Increased mortality was associated with cancer, hypotension, elevated serum troponin levels, and echocardiographic evidence of left and right ventricular dysfunction.
Conclusion: The predominance of massive and submassive PE cases highlights the critical need for aggressive treatment strategies, including the liberal use of thrombolytic therapy, which correlates with the higher mortality observed in these patient groups.
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