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Pulmonary Embolism in Older Patients

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Aging and Lung Disease

Part of the book series: Respiratory Medicine ((RM))

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Abstract

Pulmonary embolism is a common geriatric medical condition that accounts for significant morbidity and mortality. It is responsible for greater than 200,000 deaths annually and 10% of hospital deaths [1–3]. The incidence of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE), encompassing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), rises sharply after the age of 60 and reaches 1% per year in the very old. However, while most major studies looking at diagnosis and treatment concentrate on middle-aged subjects [4], almost 70% of all VTE are diagnosed in patients over the age of 60 [1]. This chapter focuses on the pathophysiology of thromboembolic disease in the elderly and explores risk factors, presentation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment as it pertains to the geriatric population. Complications of treatment are also considered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pulmonary and Critical Care Department, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Aditi Mathur & Maor Sauler

  2. Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Margaret Pisani

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  1. Aditi Mathur
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  1. School of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Yale University, Cedar Street 330, New Haven, 06520-8057, Connecticut, USA

    Margaret Pisani

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Mathur, A., Sauler, M., Pisani, M. (2012). Pulmonary Embolism in Older Patients. In: Pisani, M. (eds) Aging and Lung Disease. Respiratory Medicine. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-727-3_7

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