Relation between dynamic change of red cell distribution width and 30‐day mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism

• Published in: The clinical respiratory journal 2018-03, Vol.12 (3), p.953-960
• Main Authors: Yazıcı, Selçuk, Kırış, Tuncay, Sadık Ceylan, Ufuk, Terzi, Sait, Uzun, Ahmet Okan, Emre, Ayşe, Yeşilçimen, Kemal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Embolisms; Mortality; PESI score; Pulmonary arteries; pulmonary emboli; Pulmonary embolisms; red cell distribution width; short‐term mortality
• ISSN: 1752-6981; 1752-699X
• DOI: 10.1111/crj.12611

Introduction and Objectives Recent studies suggest that an increase in red cell distribution width (RDW) levels have a better prognostic value than a single measurement. In the current study, we investigated the predictive value of increasing RDW levels for mortality in acute pulmonary emboli (APE) patients. Materials and Methods For the study, 199 APE patients who were hospitalized were enrolled. Patients were divided into three groups according to their admission and 24th hour RDW values. Patients for whom both RDW values normal were put in group 1 (normal); patients with admission RDW > 14.5% and decreased 24th hour RDW values were in group 2 (decreased); patients whose 24th hour RDW levels were >14.5% and increased compared to their baseline RDW measurement were in group 3 (increased). Clinical and laboratory findings and 30‐day mortality of these groups were compared. Results Mean patient age was 68 ± 16, and 48% of the patients were male. There were 98 patients (49%) in group 1, 59 patients (30%) in group 2, and 42 patients (21%) in group 3. Patients in group 3 were older, had lower eGFR and hemoglobin values, and had higher brain type natriuretic peptide values. Mortality rate was higher in group 3 (0%, 3.4%, 19%, respectively, P