To investigate the incidence and risk factors of pulmonary embolism(PE) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD).

All 96 cases of AECOPD patients in our hospital from October 2015 to November 2016 were collected, according to whether or not they had PE were divided into two groups.In the observation group, 26 cases of AECOPD combined with PE, the control group of 70 cases of simple AECOPD patients. The clinical characteristics and results of the two groups were observed and compared. The incidence of AECOPS accompanied by PE and its risk factors were analyzed.

There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of cough, dyspnea, dry rales and syncope. The incidences of fever, hemoptysis, chest pain, pleural effusion and asymmetric lower extremity edema were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the PCT between the two groups. The PaO₂ and PaCO₂ of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group. The WBC, Hb, pulmonary artery pressure, ET-1 and D-D of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The observation group in Long-term bed rest accounted for 65.38%, cardiac insufficiency accounting for 42.31%, previous history of pulmonary embolism 26.92%, cerebral thrombosis accidents accounted for 23.08% of malignant tumors accounted for 19.23%, six weeks after surgery accounted for 15.38%, lower extremity trauma history accounted for 11.54%; the control group accounted for 14.29% of long-term bed, heart dysfunction accounted for 21.43% of the previous lung thromboembolism history accounted for 2.86%, cerebral thrombosis accidents accounted for 2.86%, accounted for 5.71% of malignant tumor. The incidence of risk factors in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).

AECOPD associated with a higher incidence of PE, Long-term bed rest, Heart failure and history of pulmonary thromboembolism are the main risk factors.