Prevalence and clinical significance of deep vein thrombosis in Hispanic patients with acute pulmonary embolism

The prevalence of concomitant deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and its impact on 30-day outcomes in Hispanic patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is unknown. We retrospectively studied a cohort of Hispanic patients admitted for acute PE to determine the relationship of concomitant DVT to clot burden on chest computer tomography (CT), right heart strain, and 30-day mortality. We identified 391 patients admitted with acute PE; 168 (42.9%) had concomitant DVTs on admission; 39 patients (9.9%) died during the 30-day follow-up: 12 patients without concomitant DVT and 27 with concomitant DVT, respectively (p < .001). The presence of a proximal DVT independently predicted 30-day mortality even after adjusting for age, gender and admission PE severity index scores (PESI) (hazard ratio [HR] 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-3.0, p = .001). Proximal DVTs remained a significant predictor of 30-day mortality in patients with low and intermediate PESI scores (HR 2.5; 95% CI: 1.1-6.0, p = .035). The prevalence of concomitant DVT in Hispanic patients presenting with acute DVT is relatively lower than other ethnic groups. However, a proximal location of a DVT is of significant prognostic relevance. Hispanic patients with acute PE should routinely undergo compression doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) of the lower extremities.

Automated summary

This study retrospectively examined Hispanic patients admitted for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and found that the presence of concomitant deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was associated with clot burden on chest CT, right heart strain, and 30-day mortality. Among the 391 patients studied, 42.9% had concomitant DVT on admission, and 9.9% died during the 30-day follow-up, with a higher mortality rate among those with concomitant DVT. Proximal DVT independently predicted 30-day mortality, even after adjusting for age, gender, and PE severity index scores. The prevalence of concomitant DVT in Hispanic patients with acute PE was relatively low, but the location of the DVT had significant prognostic relevance.