Views: 1,523 | Downloads:
21
| Responses: 0
| XML | Respond to this article | Alert & updates | Request permissions | Email to a friend |
Original ArticleOpen Access
Clinical and Laboratory Findings in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism in Phramongkutklao Hospital
Palwatwichai A 
,
GaewtamManugul P ,
Vattanathum A ,
Tantamacharik D ,
Wongsa A
,
GaewtamManugul P ,
Vattanathum A ,
Tantamacharik D ,
Wongsa A PITAYA GAEWTAM-MANUGUL,M.D.*,
ANAN V ATTANATHUM, M.D.*,
ADISORN WON GSA, M.D.*
Pulmonary embolism (PE) was believed to be a rare disease and often misdiagnosed in
Thailand. Only a few cases of PE in Thai patients have been reported. The purpose of this study
was to describe the characteristics of history, physical examination and laboratory investigations
in Thai patients with PE. Forty-nine patients diagnosed as PE in Phramongkutklao Hospital
between 1994 and 1998 were included in the study. All patients underwent complete history,
physical examination and appropriate laboratory studies. The mean age of this patient group was
53 years. Thirty-four per cent of these patients were first suspected of lung embolism while the
others were misdiagnosed as congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, pneumonia or
septic shock. The most common syndrome was isolated dyspnea. Interestingly, chronic
thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension which is uncommonly found in western countries
was diagnosed in 12 per cent of our patients. Dyspnea, pleuritic pain, leg swelling, cough,
tachypnea, tachycardia and increased pulmonary component of second heart sound were common
symptoms and signs. A high-probability ventilation/perfusion lung scan and deep vein
thrombosis were demonstrated in 93 per cent and 55 per cent of our patients, respectively.
The mortality rate was 10 per cent.
Key word : Pulmonary Embolism, Deep Vein Thrombosis Lung Scan, Hypercoagulable
ANAN V ATTANATHUM, M.D.*,
ADISORN WON GSA, M.D.*
Pulmonary embolism (PE) was believed to be a rare disease and often misdiagnosed in
Thailand. Only a few cases of PE in Thai patients have been reported. The purpose of this study
was to describe the characteristics of history, physical examination and laboratory investigations
in Thai patients with PE. Forty-nine patients diagnosed as PE in Phramongkutklao Hospital
between 1994 and 1998 were included in the study. All patients underwent complete history,
physical examination and appropriate laboratory studies. The mean age of this patient group was
53 years. Thirty-four per cent of these patients were first suspected of lung embolism while the
others were misdiagnosed as congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, pneumonia or
septic shock. The most common syndrome was isolated dyspnea. Interestingly, chronic
thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension which is uncommonly found in western countries
was diagnosed in 12 per cent of our patients. Dyspnea, pleuritic pain, leg swelling, cough,
tachypnea, tachycardia and increased pulmonary component of second heart sound were common
symptoms and signs. A high-probability ventilation/perfusion lung scan and deep vein
thrombosis were demonstrated in 93 per cent and 55 per cent of our patients, respectively.
The mortality rate was 10 per cent.
Key word : Pulmonary Embolism, Deep Vein Thrombosis Lung Scan, Hypercoagulable
Download:
PDF