Pulmonary embolism in the elderly:an analysis of 26 cases

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics,diagnosis and choice of treatment of pulmonary embolism in the elderly. Methods: The clinical data of 26 cases of aged patients with pulmonary embolism, including the risk factors,clinical characteristics, assistant examinations,and the effects of different treatment program,was retrospectively analysed. Results: The pulmonary embolism had two or more risk factors in the elderly,and mainly occurred in cases with deep vein thrombosis, bed rest, and hypertension. The clinical manifestations of pulmonary embolism had no specificity, and the most of them were exertional dyspnea,and the abnormity of cardiogram, sternum or echocardiogram in the elderly. The multilayer spiral computed tomograph angiography of pulmonary artery (CTPA) was the effective examination technique for diagnosis. At first examination, 92.3% cases of patients were misdiagnosed as cardiorespiratory disease. Among 4 cases treated by thrombolysis, 3 cases were cured. Among 16 cases treated by anti-freezing exclusively, 11 cases were cured. Among 6 cases treated without thrombolysis and anti-freezing, 2 cases were cured. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of pulmonary embolism have no specificity in the elderly, so, the doctor should perceived distinctly to avoid misdiagnosis. CTPA can be its preferred method of diagnosis. Normal thrombolysis and anti-freezing treatment can reduce its mortality.