Diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism in the elderly.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a difficult diagnosis in patients of all ages, but more so in the elderly. Nonspecific symptoms and laboratory results are often misattributed to common diseases or to age itself, and can delay or even deter the diagnosis and treatment of PE. Advanced age is sometimes mistakenly seen as a contraindication to anticoagulation and thrombolysis. Together, these factors contribute to the higher morbidity and mortality associated with PE in the elderly than in younger patients. This article reviews the risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of PE as it applies to the elderly.
Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. aberman@montefiore.org
Andrew R
AR
Berman
Julia H
JH
Arnsten
D000368:Aged; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000628:therapy; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D016306:Vena Cava Filters; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis
D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D