Comparative Analysis Of Clinical Features Of The Elderly And Non-elderly With Pulmonary Embolism

ObjectiveTo compare and analysis the clinical features and differences of the elderly and non-elderly patients with pulmonary embolism, increase diagnosis awareness of the elderly pulmonary embolism.MethodsA retrospective review of hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from January 2004 to August 2008, comparative analysis the risk factors and clinical features of the elderly and non-elderly pulmonary embolism patients.ResultsDVT is the most important risk factor in two groups, long-term braking and malignant tumor are more common in elderly patients; The elderly patients with PE are more likely to combine coronary heart disease, hypertension, cerebral embolism (p<0.05); Dyspnea is the most common symptom in both group. Chest pain and hemoptysis are more common in non-elderly group (p<0.05). PaCO2 decreased more significantly with the P (A-a) O2 increased in older group, (p<0.05); The results of V/Q scan are more easily affected in older group; misdiagnosis rate are more higher in older group (p<0.05).ConclusionElderly patients have more Pulmonary Embolism risk factors, underlying diseases and atypical clinical symptoms. The improvement of diagnostic awareness are needed to reduce missed diagnosis, misdiagnosis and mortality rate, combined with a comprehensive analysis of symptoms, laboratory and imageology examinations.