Trends in the incidence of pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis in hospitalized patients.

Trends in the incidences of pulmonary embolism (PE), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and venous thromboembolism (VTE) (PE or DVT, or both) in hospitalized adults (aged > or =20 years) were evaluated using data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey. From 1979 to 1999, the incidence of DVT in hospitalized patients increased from 0.8% of admissions to 1.3% of admissions. The incidence of PE was 0.4% of admissions and did not change over the 21-year period. Trends and incidences were similar or the same among men and women and whites and blacks.