Mortality rate and factors associated with in-hospital mortality in patients hospitalized with pulmonary embolism in Germany

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition, the prognosis of which is determined in particular by acute decompensation and hospitalization. The goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and the factors associated with the in-hospital mortality of patients hospitalized with acute PE. This multicenter cross-sectional study was based on the data of PE patient cases from 36 hospitals across Germany. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the associations between demographic and clinical variables and in-hospital mortality. A total of 7136 hospitalization cases were included (mean age: 68.6 years, 49.2% female). 60.2% of patients received PE as primary and 39.8% as secondary diagnosis. The mortality rate was 13.2%. Age group 71-80 years (OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.18-1.88) and > 80 years (OR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.61-2.62), PE as secondary diagnosis (OR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.676-2.56), respiratory failure (OR: 2.88; 95% CI: 2.44-3.41), acute renal failure (OR: 2.65; 95% CI: 2.14-3.27), hypokalemia (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.28-1.79), heart failure (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.18-1.73), and acute posthemorrhagic anemia (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.04-1.74) were associated with an increased mortality risk. Our findings underscore the significant impact of age, acute renal failure, and respiratory complications on the mortality of patients with PE. While our study provides a comprehensive snapshot of in-hospital mortality in acute PE patients, it also highlights the need for ongoing research to deepen our understanding of the interplay between various risk factors.