Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina
-
Prospectively evaluate the incidence of pulmonary embolism and risk factors for this life-threatening disease on chronic hypoxemic patients treated in intensive respiratory care unit. ⋯ Polycythemia is a single most significant risk factor for pulmonary embolism in chronic hypoxemic patients. Value of D-dimer ≥ 500 μg /L, as well as presence of comorbidity, particularly vein varicose, in these patients should raise clinical suspicion of PE. Key words: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, multidetector computed tomography, arrhythmia, varicose veins, pulmonary hypertension.