Risk factors for pulmonary embolism in an Irish patient cohort.
BACKGROUND
The prevention of pulmonary embolism (PE) is an important component of medical care.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the risk factors for venous thromboembolism in an Irish patient cohort with acute PE, and identify cases that may have been preventable.


METHODS
Retrospective review of 60 consecutive cases of computed tomography (CT)-confirmed acute PE.


RESULTS
The primary thromboembolic risk factors were elective surgery (27%), medical illness (20%), primary immobility (13%) and isolated distal lower limb fracture (7%). A significant proportion (43%) had been hospitalised within the six weeks prior to PE onset. Some patients had undergone 'low risk' procedures, without prophylaxis, but had other significant thromboembolic risk factors that indicated a requirement for prophylaxis.


CONCLUSIONS
Hospital- and ward-based thromboprophylaxis guidelines, based on certain categories of patient or procedure, need to be routinely supplemented by an individual risk factor assessment for each patient, to determine those at particularly high risk for venous thromboembolism.
Timmons
S
S
South Munster Geriatric Training Scheme, Tralee General Hospital, Co Kerry, Ireland. timmonss@shb.ie
Liston
R
R
Kelly
H
H
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages; D018890:Chemoprevention; D005260:Female; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight