What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to determine the relationship between sex and in-hospital outcomes for patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

February 19, 2026Open Access

Sex Differences as Predictors of In-Hospital Outcome in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Key Result

Female sex independently increased the risk of poor in-hospital outcomes in acute pulmonary embolism with an adjusted OR of 1.69 (95% CI 1.02–2.82).

Key Points

The study aims to determine the relationship between sex and in-hospital outcomes for patients with acute pulmonary embolism.
Retrospective observational cohort study design
Included 322 consecutive adult patients with acute PE
Collected clinical, hemodynamic, laboratory, and imaging data
Analyzed in-hospital outcomes using multivariable logistic regression
Composite poor outcome occurred in 34.0% of women vs. 22.7% of men (p = 0.032)
Univariate analysis showed female sex had increased odds of poor outcome (OR 1.76)
Adjusted analysis revealed OR of 1.69 for women, indicating greater risk after accounting for other factors
No significant differences were noted in individual components of the composite outcome

Structured PICO

Does female sex increase the risk of adverse in-hospital outcomes in adult patients with acute pulmonary embolism?

Population

322 consecutive adult patients with acute pulmonary embolism admitted to a university hospital, mean age 64.4 years, 50.0% female.

Intervention

Female sex

Comparator

Male sex

Outcome

Composite poor outcome defined as intensive care unit (ICU) admission, systemic thrombolysis, or in-hospital mortalitycomposite

Female sex is an independent predictor of adverse in-hospital outcomes in patients with acute pulmonary embolism, highlighting the need for sex-specific risk stratification.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Background: Sex-related differences in cardiovascular disease outcomes are well recognized. Their impact on short-term outcomes in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the association between sex and in-hospital outcomes in patients with acute PE. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational cohort study including 322 consecutive adult patients with acute PE admitted to a university hospital. Clinical, hemodynamic, laboratory, and imaging data were collected at presentation. The primary outcome was a composite poor outcome defined as intensive care unit (ICU) admission, systemic thrombolysis, or in-hospital mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate whether sex independently predicted adverse outcomes after adjustment for established prognostic factors. Results: This study included 322 patients with acute pulmonary embolism (mean age 64.4 ± 13.1 years), of whom 50.0% were women. The composite poor outcome occurred more frequently in women than in men (34.0% vs. 22.7%, p = 0.032). Female sex was associated with increased odds of poor outcome in univariate analysis (odds ratio (OR) 1.76; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–2.88). This association remained significant after multivariable adjustment (adjusted OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.02–2.82; p = 0.042). No significant sex differences were observed for individual components of the composite endpoint. Conclusions: Female sex was independently associated with a higher risk of adverse in-hospital outcomes in acute PE, suggesting that sex-specific factors may influence early prognosis and should be considered in future risk stratification models.