Ignored identity of age-dependent increase in pulmonary embolism atrial fibrillation

Abstract

We read with great interest the article published recently in CHEST (October 2019) by Pauley et al1 in which their goal was to evaluate national trends in admission rates, discharge disposition, and length of stay in patients hospitalized with pulmonary embolism (PE) by assessing patient demographic and hospital characteristics. They found a continued increase in admissions for PE between 2000 and 2015. Elderly patients have been shown to be affected disproportionally and experience higher mortality rates compared with the other age groups. Increased age and comorbidity burden, including congestive heart failure, paralysis, and metastatic cancer, have been found to be independently associated with poor outcomes. The authors also noted that targeted clinical trials designed to improve survival and quality of life in all age brackets are needed.