Usefulness of admission red blood cell distribution width as a predictor of severity of acute pulmonary embolism

Background Previous researches have represented a considerable relation between acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW). To the authors' knowledge no research has been informed in subjects with PE severity. Pulmonary arterial obstruction index (PAOI) is associated with the severity of acute PE. Objectives In our investigation, we purposed to assess the relation between PAOI and RDW and the benefit of these factors in the detection of PE severity. Methods We retrospectively investigated the demographic information, probability of clinical scores, laboratory parameters, serum D‐dimer levels, and echocardiographic findings of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in Acute PE individuals who were diagnosed by computed tomography of pulmonary arterial angiography. Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) on CT was assessed by calculating the right ventricular/left ventricular (RV/LV) diameter ratios on transverse (RV/LVtrans). Results The information of 131 patients with acute PE and 51 (64.6%) female and 28 (35.4%) male healthy control were evaluated. Acute PE group's RDW values were higher than control subjects (P