Asymptomatic pulmonary embolism in patients with symptomatic deep vein thrombosis of the extremities: Three year results of a prospective study

Abstract

Objective: Symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) has been associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, data on the clinical impact of AsPE on patients with known deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are limited in literature. Methods: Patients treated in our institution for symptomatic DVT without any symptoms or signs of PE were prospectively included in this study. The diagnosis of DVT was verified using colored Duplex ultrasonography based on international guidelines. All patients underwent a thorax-computed angiography in order to detect cases with AsPE. Basic characteris- tics of all patients and major outcomes were compared between patients with DVT and no PE and patients with DVT plus AsPE. Mean follow-up was 3 ± 0.32 years. Results: AsPE was detected overall in 39 patients (32%). The majority (37%) of patients reported long-lasting bed rest/im- mobility, 15% had a neoplasia, although 32% of patients did not have any typical DVT risk factor. There was no difference regarding age, gender, location of thrombosis or typical risk factors. Basic serum parameters did not differ between the two groups, either. However, more patients with PE showed d-dimer values of