Clinical characteristics and BGA-optimized pretest probability of pulmonary embolism in the elderly.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pulmonary arterial embolism (PE) is not well characterized in elderly patients. In addition, unnecessary computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) examinations are often performed within this patient group, especially if the pretest probability is low.

Objective

To identify differences in clinical presentation in patients aged ≥80 years compared to patients <80 years and the effect of a BGA-optimized pretest probability to reduce unnecessary CTPAs according to age category.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis of patients with suspected PE and subsequent CTPA was performed, with evaluation of clinical data including capillary blood gas analysis (BGA) parameters (including standardized partial pressure of oxygen [sPaO₂]) over a 5-

SUBMITTER: Patz T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12708831 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature