Table 1 Characteristics of the study population according to final diagnosis
All patients (n = 872) | PE positive (n = 279) | PE negative (n = 593) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mean age ± SD | 69.6 ± 16 | 69.2 ± 16 | 69.8 ± 15.8 | 0.549 |
Women | 452 (51.8%) | 151 (54.1%) | 301 (50.8%) | 0.354 |
Shock/hypotension | 89 (10.2%) | 23 (8.2%) | 66 (11.1%) | 0.189 |
Palpitations | 85 (9.7%) | 31 (11.1%) | 54 (9.1%) | 0.352 |
Dyspnea | 561 (64.3%) | 206 (73.8%) | 355 (59.9%) | < 0.001 |
Chest pain in general | 310 (35.6%) | 92 (33%) | 218 (36.8%) | 0.276 |
Pleuritic chest pain | 217 (24.9%) | 65 (23.3%) | 152 (25.6%) | 0.457 |
Signs and symptoms of DVT | 205 (23.5%) | 118 (42.3%) | 87 (14.7%) | < 0.001 |
Alternative diagnosis less likely than PE | 427 (48.7%) | 183 (65.6%) | 244 (41.1%) | < 0.001 |
HR > 100 bpm | 302 (34.6%) | 93 (33.3%) | 209 (35.2%) | 0.580 |
Immobilization or surgery | 193 (22.1%) | 59 (21.1%) | 134 (22.6%) | 0.630 |
Previous DVT or PE | 122 (14%) | 54 (19.4%) | 68 (11.5%) | 0.002 |
Hemoptysis | 35 (4%) | 11 (3.9%) | 24 (4%) | 0.942 |
Malignancy | 169 (19.4%) | 69 (24.7%) | 100 (16.9%) | 0.006 |
Wells score | 3.5 ± 2.5 | 4.6 ± 2.6 | 2.9 ± 2.3 | < 0.001 |