- The exact number of patients affected by DVTs and PEs is unknown.
- The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute estimates suggest that 300,000 to 600,000 people in the United States are affected by these two conditions.
- One study estimates that there is 1 pulmonary embolism per 1000 a year. [7]
- The likely increase in the reported numbers of pulmonary embolisms is likely secondary to the increased use of spiral computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of patients. [8]
- If untreated, 30% of patients with a PE will die.
- It is considered a silent killer with less than half being diagnosed before death.
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