Prognosis of pulmonary embolism associated with syncope: a prospective cohort with the pulmonary embolism registry of Bogodogo university hospital /Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND

The prognosis value of syncope in pulmonary embolism remains uncertain. Our aim in this study is to investigate this question.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective, single-center cohort study of pulmonary embolism from March 1, 2017 to June 31, 2022. Patients were subdivided into two groups according to whether or not they had syncope prior to being hospitalized: syncope (+) vs. syncope (-). Our study analysis aimed at identifying factors associated with the occurrence of syncope. Thereafter, it focused on determining whether syncope was an independent risk factor by using logistic regression that was specific to in-hospital death.

RESULTS

Four hundred and fifty-one patients were included in the study, including 66 with syncope prior to hospitalization. The prevalence of this symptom during pulmonary embolism was of 14.63%. The variables associated with the occurrence of syncope were presence of proximal localization of the thrombus in pulmonary arteries, significant pulmonary hypertension, dilatation of the right heart chambers and a high severity index. Mortality in the syncope (+) group was significantly higher (24% vs. 9%; OR = 3,2 p < 0.001) in univariate analysis. After regression that was specific to in-hospital death, syncope was not found to be an independent death factor (OR = 1.03 [0.44; 2.42]; p = 0.60).

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that syncope is not an independent risk factor for death in PE. It is, however, associated with vulnerable conditions that place patients at high risk of early death.