Association between risk stratification for pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis of lower extremities

Abstract

Background: Identifying patients at risk for morbidity and mortality, risk stratification of pulmonary embolism (PE) is paramountly important for tailoring their management. The association of clinical risk factors, in particular deep vein thrombosis (DVT), with risk stratification for PE remains to be identified. We therefore aimed to establish the relationship between risk stratification of patients with PE and DVT of lower extremities. Methods: In this retrospective study, 93 out of 485 patients with PE with uncompleted clinical data were excluded, resulting in 392 patients. Based on the ESC criteria, 24, 171, and 197 patients were defined as high (6.1%), intermediate (43.6%), and low risk (50.3%) subgroups, respectively. Results: DVT was detected in 304 patients (77.6%). Patients with high and intermediate risk PE had less DVT than low risk PE (67.2% vs 87.8%, P Conclusions: In patients with PE having concomitant DVT, isolated distal DVT of lower limb, silent DVT, and DVT in both limbs are liable to present in high and intermediate risk patients as compared to low risk patients. High and intermediate risk PE patients are liable to having concomitant silent DVT.