Two Elderly Patients with Dyspnoea : Diagnosis and Management

Dyspnoea is a common reason of hospital admission in elderly people. We report two elderly patients who presented with dyspnoea due to acute massive pulmonary embolism. Early diagnosis could not be made in the first patient so that specific treatment could not be given to him. He deteriorated and succumbed soon after admission. The second patient, an old lady, had rather unstable vital signs on presentation. Acute pulmonary embolism was suspected early and confirmed soon after admission. Intravenous thrombolytic therapy was given. She had a good recovery and was subsequently discharged home. High degree of suspicion is required so that early and correct diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism can be made and specific treatment given to improve the outcome of these patients.