Pulmonary Thromboembolism in Patients with Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis / 대한혈관외과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is one of the most critical complications of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Studies on the incidence and the treatment of PTE are rare in Korea compared to western countries. This study analyzed the occurrence, risk factors and treatment of PTE in the patients diagnosed as acute DVT in a single center in Korea. METHODS: The study population was 84 patients diagnosed as acute DVT in Eulji University Hospital from August 2006 to March 2012. Of these patients, 51 patients who underwent chest computed tomography were finally included in this study. We performed a retrospective study and analyzed clinical characteristics, risk factors, and treatment of PTE. RESULTS: Among the 51 patients diagnosed as acute DVT, 22 patients (43.1%) had findings of PTE on chest computed tomography. PTE was more prevalent in male patients, when acute DVT occurred in the right lower extremity and proximal vein. All PTE patients were successfully treated with low molecular weight heparin. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: Patients with acute DVT had similar incidence of PTE to western countries. However, PTE was successfully treated with conservative treatment. Therefore, expanding the indications of aggressive and invasive treatments, such as filter insertions, should be cautiously considered in Korean PTE patients.