Frequency of Diagnostic Symptomatic Pulmonary Embolism's in Patients Hospitalized for Clinical Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Frequency of Diagnostic Symptomatic Pulmonary Embolism's in Patients Hospitalized for Clinical Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A standardized diagnostic strategy of pulmonary embolism will be applied to eligible patients, incorporating a clinical probability score (revised Geneva score), plasma D-dimer assay and if necessary, a multidetector-row CT angiography thoracic and venous ultrasound of the lower limbs. All the patient with a pulmonary embolism diagnosed or not, will be followed for 3 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation
• COPD previously diagnosed

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy to iodinated contrast
• Creatinine clearance < 30 mL / min
• Patient hospitalized for exacerbation of COPD for more than 48 hours
• Pneumothorax
• Exams impossible to be performed
• Pregnancy
• Life expectancy < 3 months
• Patients already receiving anticoagulant therapy for another reason (mechanical valve, cardiac arrhythmia).