Pulmonary Embolism in Patients with Unexplained Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Prevalence and Risk Factors

patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and exacerbation. Objective: To evaluate PE in patients with COPD and exacerbation of unknown origin and explore factors associated with PE. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: University-affiliated hospital in France. Patients: 211 consecutive patients, all current or former smokers with COPD, who were admitted to the hospital for severe exacer-bation of unknown origin and did not require invasive mechanical ventilation. Measurements: Spiral computed tomography angiography (CTA) and ultrasonography within 48 hours of admission and assessment of the Geneva score. Patients were classified as PE positive (positive results on CTA or negative results on CTA and positive results on ultrasonography) or PE negative (negative results on CTA and neg