Prevalence of Pulmonary Embolism among COVID-19 Patients Using Multidetector Computed Tomography

Abstract

Background Thrombotic complications in patients diagnosed with (COVID-19) are emerging as an important sequela that contribute to significant morbidity and mortality Aim of the Work To discuss prevalence of pulmonary embolism as one of the thrombotic complications in COVID-19 Egyptian population. Patients and Methods Our study is a retrospective study that included patients from period August 2020 to July 2021. The study included 50 patients who were diagnosed as having COVID19 infection, referred to the Radiology department, Ain Shams University Hospitals for a CT pulmonary angiography due to clinical suspicion of acute pulmonary embolism PE. Results Acute pulmonary embolism was found in 22% of patient diagnosed with COVID-19 who underwent CT pulmonary angiography. 81.8% of patients with acute PE were males. The most common distribution site for embolism was in segmental branches (81.8%). 100 % of patients with acute PE had high D-dimer levels, while only 50% pf patients with no PE had elevated D-dimer levels. Conclusion Pulmonary embolism is a relatively common complication during COVID-19 pandemic, and it is associated with high D-dimer levels. This is one of the thrombotic complications of this disease which needs early recognition and management.