BACKGROUND: Data concerning the rate of pulmonary embolism (PE) in Asian patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation are sparse, and no study has shown predictors of PE in these patients. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and predictors of PE in Korean patients with COPD exacerbation. METHODS: Hospitalized patients with COPD exacerbations were prospectively enrolled into this study and underwent computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography and indirect CT venography. RESULTS: The most common cause of COPD exacerbation was lower respiratory tract infection (82%; n = 84), followed by PE (5%; n = 5). Eight patients (8%) had venous thromboembolism, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was seen in 6%, with proximal DVT in 4%. On multivariate analysis, the absence of symptoms of respiratory infection and plasma D-dimer elevation (≥500 µg/l) were significant factors predicting PE in patients with COPD exacerbations (odds ratio 31, 95% confidence interval 2-563, p = 0.02, and odds ratio 25, 95% confidence interval 1-464, p = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PE comprises approximately 5% of the etiologies of COPD exacerbations in Koreans. The absence of symptoms suggestive of respiratory infection and elevated plasma D-dimer levels were significant predictors of PE in this population.
BACKGROUND: Data concerning the rate of pulmonary embolism (PE) in Asian patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation are sparse, and no study has shown predictors of PE in these patients. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and predictors of PE in Korean patients with COPD exacerbation. METHODS: Hospitalized patients with COPD exacerbations were prospectively enrolled into this study and underwent computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography and indirect CT venography. RESULTS: The most common cause of COPD exacerbation was lower respiratory tract infection (82%; n = 84), followed by PE (5%; n = 5). Eight patients (8%) had venous thromboembolism, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was seen in 6%, with proximal DVT in 4%. On multivariate analysis, the absence of symptoms of respiratory infection and plasma D-dimer elevation (≥500 µg/l) were significant factors predicting PE in patients with COPD exacerbations (odds ratio 31, 95% confidence interval 2-563, p = 0.02, and odds ratio 25, 95% confidence interval 1-464, p = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PE comprises approximately 5% of the etiologies of COPD exacerbations in Koreans. The absence of symptoms suggestive of respiratory infection and elevated plasma D-dimer levels were significant predictors of PE in this population.
Authors: Hyung Jun Park; Soo Han Kim; Ho Cheol Kim; Bo Young Lee; Sei Won Lee; Jae Seung Lee; Sang Do Lee; Joon Beom Seo; Yeon Mok Oh Journal: Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul) Date: 2019-05-31