Investigating the incidence of Pulmonary Embolism and related risk factors despite giving prophylaxis to all surgical patients

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition or complication that continues to pose a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. Objectives: This study aims to identify the perioperative risk factors associated with PE and to examine its prevalence and consequences in patients who have undergone major surgery.  Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study reviewed the medical records of ۳۰ consecutive patients admitted to the general surgery ward who developed in-hospital PE. The study aimed to extract risk factors, including demographic and clinical features, such as body mass index (BMI), smoking history, hospitalization history, hypertension, cardiovascular complications, history of oral contraception pill (OCP) usage, diabetes, history of cancer, trauma, intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization, and the type of surgery. Results: Among all PE patients, ۱۹.۷% had a normal BMI, and tobacco use was reported in ۵۰% of these patients. Only ۱۶.۷% of PE patients had a history of OCP usage. Pulmonary and breast cancer were reported in ۵۶.۶% and ۶.۷% of PE patients, respectively. The most common comorbidities among PE patients were hypertension (۲۳.۳%), followed by cardiovascular issues (۱۶.۷%) and diabetes mellitus (۶.۷%). The majority of PE patients had ICU hospitalization (۹۳.۳%). Forty percent of PE patients experienced trauma, with ۱۵% having hip with limb fractures, ۱۳% experiencing chest trauma, and ۱۲% having abdominal visceral trauma. Almost ۳۰% of the PE patients who were admitted for general surgery and developed in-hospital PE died before discharge. Conclusion: PE is one of the most common adverse events after surgery, despite the use of thromboprophylaxis. The major risk factors in patients with postoperative PE were found to be old age, smoking history, trauma, and cardiovascular problems.

Keywords:

Pulmonary embolism , Surgical complication , risk factor , Incidence