[Causal analysis of initial misdiagnosis of pulmonary embolism].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the causes of initial erroneous diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) to improve the diagnostic efficiency.


METHODS
The clinical data of 63 patients with a definite diagnosis of PE were retrospectively analyzed. According to the initial diagnosis, the patients were divided into definite diagnosis group (Group A, 23 cases) and misdiagnosis group (group B, 40 cases). The risk factors, initial symptoms, time of definite diagnosis, Wells scores, revised Geneva scores, and findings in chest X-ray and ECGs after onset and before the definite diagnosis were compared between the two groups.


RESULTS
In group A, recent operations, malignancy, long-term bedridden state, PE history and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) symptom were more commonly seen than in group B, and the patients in group B were more likely to have hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus and lower limb varicose veins. The patients in group B had significantly lower Wells scores and revised Geneva scores than those in group A [2.50 (5.00) vs 6.00 (6.00), u=-3.296, P<0.001; 5.50 (4.75) vs 12.00 (9.00), u=-3.187, P<0.001, respectively]. In group B, chest examination in 22 of the 40 cases (55%) reported pulmonary infection, and among them, 15 were misdiagnosed as pneumonia. In groups A and B, SIQIIITIII/QIIITIII in ECG was found in 5 (21.7%) and 0 cases (0%), and normal ECG in 2 (8.7%) and 18 (45.0%) cases, respectively, showing significant difference between the two groups (P=0.010 and 0.003, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The initial misdiagnosis of PE results mainly from the low awareness of some of the PE risk factors on the part of the physicians, atypical clinical manifestations and excessive dependence on chest films and ECGs.
Liang
Zhen-Yu
ZY
Department of Respiratory Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. acertil@126.com
Cai
Shao-Xi
SX
Tong
Wan-Cheng
WC
Zhao
Hai-Jin
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors