ABSTRACT
Background: Pulmonary embolism [PE] is a frequent cause of death and serious disability with a risk extending far beyond the acute phase of the disease. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, high mortality rates are still a common problem
Aim of the work: was to assess the incidence rate of pulmonary embolism among patients attending CCU of King Faisal hospital in Taif, Saudi Arabia and the most common risk factors of pulmonary embolism in these patients
Patients and methods: a cross sectional study for 6 month duration, in the period from June 2016 to December 2016. Patients were chosen from CCU of King Faisal hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia. The study includes 20 patients diagnosed as pulmonary embolism from both sexes [male/female =10/10] with mean age 58.9+/-19.9 years old and 20 healthy control volunteers [male/female =14/6] with mean age 52.1+/-19.5 years old were chosen for comparison; incidence rate of pulmonary embolism was calculated and the related risk factors in these patients were evaluated via a questionnaire done to each patient and control
Results: 80% and 70% of patients and control lived in Taif, respectively. Incidence rate of pulmonary embolism was 5.5%. 25% of patients were smoker and 15% of control group were smoker
Conclusion: the presented study assessed the incidence of pulmonary embolism and its risk factors in King Faial hospital in Taif, Saudi Arabia. All risk factors of pulmonary embolism mentioned in international researches were emphasized in this research particularly travelling history, oral contraceptive therapy and cancer with respect to other risk factors