TITLE:
Severe Pulmonary Embolism Care at Kara Teaching Hospital
AUTHORS:
Tchaa Tcherou, Borgattia D. Atta, Komlavi Yayehd, Abalo Mario Bakai, Jésugnon A. A. Houeto, Lihalimpo Djalogue, Essosimina Pyabalou Tchaou, Sylvain Mbaidedjim, N’Douba Octave, Machihude Pio
KEYWORDS:
Severe Pulmonary Embolism, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis, Togo
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.16 No.3,
March
25,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: To describe the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic data and access outcomes of severe pulmonary embolism (PE) in the Cardiology Department of Kara Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection, carried out from January 2022 to June 2023 in the Cardiology Department of Kara Teaching Hospital. The study included the records of inpatients for severe PE diagnosed on the basis of clinical, ultrasound and angioscan findings. Results: During our study period, 42 patients were hospitalised for PE. Of these, 13 patients were treated for severe PE (30.9%). The mean age of these patients was 52.7 years, with a predominance of women (sex ratio M/F = 0.3). The average time to admission to cardiology was 4.7 ± 2.8 days. Thromboembolic risk factors were dominated by cancer (23.1%), pregnancy and childbirth (15.4%), HIV (15.4%) and prolonged immobilisation (15.4%). Ultrasound signs of acute pulmonary heart disease were present in all patients, with thrombus in the right cavities in three patients. Thoracic angioscan showed proximal involvement in 100% of cases and bilateral involvement in 50%. Streptokinase was the only thrombolytic agent used in 12 patients. Anticoagulant treatment in the acute phase was unfractionated heparin in 53.8% of cases and low molecular weight heparin in 46.2%, followed by oral anticoagulants (77.8%) and vitamin K antagonists (22.2%). The average hospital stay was 12.3 ± 5.2 days, with an in-hospital death rate of 30.8%. Conclusion: Severe PE remains a frequent medical emergency with a high mortality rate in our department, hence the need for better organisation of care services and improved technical facilities to improve patient prognosis.