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OBJECTIVES: In the last 20 years, with the use of computed tomography (CT) angiography, the number of patients diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) has increased. At the same time, data show that pulmonary embolism mortality has also reduced in this duration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, we analyzed records of patients with PTE (using ICD's) in the hospital automation system from 2001 to 2013. Data regarding age, sex, date of diagnosis, diagnosis of cancer, hemodynamic status, initial and maintenance treatment, hospital length of stay, and hospital mortality were recorded. Primary endpoints of the study were hospital length of stay and all-cause hospital mortality. RESULTS: The total number of patients included in the study was 1185. The median age was 61 years in 2001 and 71 years in 2013. The number of patients who were diagnosed using CT increased from 10% to 92.8%. Between 2001 and 2013, the number of patients diagnosed with PTE increased, and of all patients with PTE, 13.7% was diagnosed in 2009. The hospital length of stay of 13 days declined to 9 days. The use of a vena cava filter in 2007 was 1.1% and that in 2013 was 4.6%. Mortality rate was 15%, however hospital mortality did not significantly differ over the years but varied between 9.4% and 18.8%. Increased use of thrombolytics in patients with massive PTE has been observed over the years. Massive PTE ratio in 2006 was 8.5% and thrombolytic use was 5.8%, however in 2013, these ratios were 2.6%, 6% respectively (p=0.017). CONCLUSION: Finally, despite the increased number of patients diagnosed with PTE over the years, the mortality rate was not observed to have changed from 2001 to 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: As Turkish Respiratory Society Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Diseases-Pulmonary Vascular Diseases Study Group (TRS DPLD-PVD SG), we aimed to demonstrate the approaches of physicians with a questionnaire toward the patients with IPF in our country. Methods: An invitation letter including a questionnaire with 24 questions to assess the approaches they prefer in the patients with IPF and the capabilities of the departments they work at and a link for the questionnaire was directed to the mail groups of chest diseases and thoracic surgery specialists. Responses of the physicians who participated in the questionnaire were reviewed. Results: Thirty percent of the participants saw less than 5 patients with IPF in a year and 16.8% of them saw more than 21. 66.3% of participants stated that anamnesis, symptoms and clinical findings along with typical radiologic findings would be sufficient for the diagnosis, while 27.7% suggested that pathological findings should indicate IPF along with clinic and radiologic ones. When the methods used for tissue sampling were viewed; application rates of bronchoscopic transbronchial biopsy, thoracoscopic biopsy and open lung biopsy were found very close to one another. In the patients with the suspected disease of IPF, the fields in which the hesitation was the most problematic were respectively pathological examination of biopsies (73.2%) and interpretation of radiologic findings (49.5%). 37.6% of the patients with diagnosis of IPF were directed to experienced centers; medical treatment and drugless follow-up rates were respectively 33.6% and 14.8%. Among the participants, 29.7% suggested lung transplantation for all cases while 48.5% only preferred this operation in particular ones. Conclusion: Some of the results of our study is compatible with the guidelines of IPF, is to show that the quality of debate and confusion still continued in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]