Romero K, Chávez TNC, Lizardi-Cervera J

Language: Spanish
References: 8
Page: 167-172
PDF size: 61.41 Kb.

ABSTRACT

The pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common disorder that is accompanied by significant morbidity and mortality. It has been estimated that PE occurs in approximately 600,000 patients annually in the United States and causes 50,000 to 200,00 deaths. At least 1% of hospitalized patients suffer an acute pulmonary embolism, being even higher in patients admitted to geriatric units. The true incidence of PE is unknown, however, because its many nonspecific clinical features produce one of the most difficult diagnostic challenges in all of medicine. The elderly are at increased risk for both venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. It is unclear, however, whether age is an independent risk factor for thrombus formation, or whether the elderly simply have a high incidence of conditions associated with venous thromboembolic disease. The hemodynamic impact of pulmonary embolism is more severe in elderly patients with pre-existing cardiopulmonary disease, and the risk of bleeding from this treatment also increases with age. Thus, pulmonary embolism is a particularly challenging problem in older people. The measurement of D-dimer has become a frequently requested laboratory test in the study of PE even though in many cases its real interpretation is unknown. The main objective of this review is know the diagnostic tools for PE, with main emphasis in measurement of D-dimer.

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