| Pulmonary embolism in soldiers serving at high altitude. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20642948 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of different risk factors for pulmonary embolism with particular reference to high altitude as one of the factors. STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional, analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Pulmonology, Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from December 2006 to December 2007. METHODOLOGY: A total of 50 serving soldiers suspected of pulmonary embolism were enrolled. A detailed history and physical examination was carried out to ascertain the risk factors of the disease. Screening profile was performed for connective tissue and infectious diseases, thrombophilic disorders and plasma homocystein levels. If soldiers were evacuated from high altitude, their approximate height from sea level was noted. Pulmonary embolism was confirmed on spiral CT scan of chest and/or ventilation-perfusion lung scan. Results were analyzed by SPSS version 11. RESULTS: About 86% of patients were between 20-40 years of age. Dyspnea was the commonest symptom (40%) while tachypnea was the commonest clinical finding in these soldiers. D-dimer value was < 250 in only 10% of patients. Pleural effusion was the commonest radiological abnormality(40%) while non-specific T-wave inversions were noted as the most frequent ECG change(44%). Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan was confirmatory in 80% of patients and spiral CT chest in 56%. When the frequency of risk factors of pulmonary embolism were analyzed, 50% of patients had high altitude as the only risk factor. Hereditary thrombophilic disorder was found in 14%, connective tissue disorder/infections in 20% and miscellaneous others in 16%. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary embolism occurs at an increased frequency in soldiers working at high altitude, without any other co-existent risk factor. |
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Authors:
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Kanwal Fatima Khalil; Waseem Saeed |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP Volume: 20 ISSN: 1022-386X ISO Abbreviation: J Coll Physicians Surg Pak Publication Date: 2010 Jul |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-07-20 Completed Date: 2010-09-30 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9606447 Medline TA: J Coll Physicians Surg Pak Country: Pakistan |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 468-71 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Military Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan. kfbaloch@hotmail.com |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adolescent Adult Altitude* Cross-Sectional Studies Humans Male Military Personnel* Pakistan / epidemiology Pulmonary Embolism / diagnosis, epidemiology* Risk Factors Young Adult |
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