Prevalence of Pulmonary Embolism in Patients Admitted with COPD Exacerbations

A standardized screening algorithm detected PE in about 6% of hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients who are hospitalized with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reportedly is as high as 16% (NEJM JW Emerg Med Oct 2016 and Chest 2017; 151:544). However, how and when these patients should be tested for PE remains unclear.

In this multicenter French study of 740 adult patients with COPD who were admitted with worsening dyspnea, cough, or sputum production, researchers used a predefined algorithm to diagnosis PE: Patients with high clinical probability of PE (i.e., revised Geneva score, ≥11) proceeded directly to computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and leg ultrasound; those with low or intermediate probability (i.e., revised Geneva score <11) receiv…

Reviewing Author

Andrew S. Parsons, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardNEJM Healer Advisory Group; Aquifer Clinical Excellence; NBME Clinical Reasoning

Grant/Research SupportSouthern Group on Educational Affairs (SGEA)

Editorial BoardsDiagnosis

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesUndergraduate Medical Education (UME) Section Chair, Southern Group on Educational Affairs (SGEA); Chair of Early Career Physicians, American College of Physicians (ACP), Virginia Chapter

Andrew S. Parsons, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardNEJM Healer Advisory Group; Aquifer Clinical Excellence; NBME Clinical Reasoning

Grant/Research SupportSouthern Group on Educational Affairs (SGEA)

Editorial BoardsDiagnosis

Prevalence of Pulmonary Embolism in Patients Admitted with COPD Exacerbations

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Reviewing Author