SILENT PULMONARY EMBOLISM: INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS IN INDIAN PATIENTS WITH LOWER LIMB DVT

Objective: The aim of our study is to evaluate the incidence of silent pulmonary embolism in Indian patients with lower limb deep venous thrombosis. Materials and Methods: 44 patients with acute lower limb proximal DVT were prospectively studied with respect to various clinical factors. All patients had no respiratory symptoms and were submitted to CT pulmonary angiography for active investigation of Pulmonary Embolism. Results: 33 out of 44 patients were found to have silent PE (75%). Higher incidence of silent PE found in older age, male sex, right side involvement and unprovoked DVT. Of these risk factors, Unprovoked DVT had statistically significant higher incidence for Silent PE than patients with provoked DVT 83.38% vs. 50% (P-0.0451). Conclusion: Above data (75%) clearly shows that silent PE is very frequent in Indian patients with deep venous thrombosis. Unprovoked DVT was single most significant risk factor associated with silent PE. This very high incidence supports the need for screening and high levels of suspicion regarding this complication especially in those with proximal unprovoked DVT.