Is Pulmonary Thromboembolism uncommon in Nigeria? A case series in a private tertiary hospital in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary thromboembolism is total or partial obstruction of one or more divisions of pulmonary arterial vasculature. It is a common disease presentation that is well studied and documented in the United States of America and Western Europe. It is often the result of part of a thrombotic lesion in deep veins (Deep Vein Thrombosis) elsewhere in the body most commonly the lower limbs and the pelvic region. There are few documented cases in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa as a result of poorly equipped hospitals and poorly trained health care personnel.

Case presentation: Twenty-Nine (29) cases were seen in a Private Tertiary institution in Ogun State, Nigeria. Computerized Tomography with Pulmonary Angiography had helped to confirm these cases, with prompt intervention thereby reducing morbidity and mortality significantly. Only 3(three) mortality was recorded out of 29 cases seen between July 2016 and June 2020.

Discussion and conclusion: Pulmonary thromboembolism is not uncommon in Nigerians and black Africans as available data previously suggested. All hands must be on deck to identify potential cases and investigate at-risk individuals who have clinical symptoms that are often misdiagnosed as other disease entities.