Objectives: Evaluate the degree of suspicion of pulmonary embolism (PE) in the emergency department (ED).
Patients and methods: We analyzed the cases of patients with TEP diagnosed during two years and compared group A (PE suspected) with group B (PE was not initially suspected).
Results: 57 cases of PE were admitted from ED. In 14 (25%) of them the PE was not suspected. There were statistically significant differences in the signs of deep venous thrombosis (more prevalent in group A), heart failure, and pleural effusion (more frequent in group B). The alternative diagnosis were mostly heart failure and pneumonia.
Conclusions: The patients with unsuspected PE do not have a different clinical profile. The PE is most of the times confused with heart failure and pneumonia.