Open AccessThe Role of Electrocardiography in Follow up of Pulmonary Thromboembolism
Author(s) -
Kιlιç H,
Köktürk N,
Varol A,
Aydoğdu M,
Babaroğlu S,
Topal S,
Ateş C,
Ekim N
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
hong kong journal of emergency medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2309-5407
pISSN - 1024-9079
DOI - 10.1177/102490791201900403
Subject(s) - medicine , electrocardiography , pneumonia , community acquired pneumonia , cardiology , significant difference
Objective Electrocardiography (ECG) is a simple, valuable and easily applicable test that can be used in supporting the diagnosis and assessing the severity of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). In this study, it was aimed to identify the role of ECG scoring in diagnosis and follow up of PTE in comparison with community acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods Patients with the diagnosis of PTE and CAP were included in the study prospectively between January 2007 and January 2009. ECG scorings were evaluated by two different cardiologists by the method described by Daniel et al at admission (day 0) and day 3, 10 and one month of treatment. Median values of ECG scorings were compared between days and between groups. Results Forty‐five patients with PTE, 35 patients with CAP were included in the study. Although no statistically significant difference was identified between the ECG scorings of the two groups in each measurement point, ECG scores decreased more rapidly in PTE group within days. Within the PTE group, day 0 ECG score was identified higher in submassive patients than nonmassive ones (p=0.001). Conclusions Although ECG score did not differentiate PTE from CAP, depending on its rapid decrease in PTE, it can be used in the follow up. For submassive PTE patients that must be diagnosed and treated immediately, ECG scorings can be used to support the diagnosis and to assess the clinical severity.