Regional differences in rates of diagnosis and mortality of pulmonary thromboembolism.

The rates of diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism (PE), and venous thromboembolism (PE and/or deep venous thrombosis) and the mortality rate of PE in hospitalized patients were evaluated in 4 regions of the United States. Data are from the National Hospital Discharge Survey and the United States Bureau of the Census. The western region of the United States showed a lower rate of diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis and venous thromboembolism and a lower mortality rate of PE than any other region.