91社区

A multi-centre clinical study, led by Dr. Susan Kahn at the Jewish General Hospital (JGH), determined that nearly half of the patients who suffer a pulmonary embolism (PE) 鈥� a blood clot in the lung 鈥� experience long term limitations to their capacity for physical activity and that this had a negative impact on their quality of life. This research, published in Chest, is the first to demonstrate that PE may have a lasting effect on patients.

鈥淥ur clinical experience told us that some patients who鈥檇 had a pulmonary embolism suffered from shortness of breath and chronic fatigue long after the PE had been treated and resolved,鈥� explained Dr. Kahn, who is founder and director of the Centre of Excellence in Thrombosis and Anticoagulation Care (CETAC) at the JGH, and an epidemiologist at the Lady Davis Institute at the JGH. 鈥淥ur study revealed that 47% of participants showed a significant reduction in their physical stamina.鈥�

One-hundred patients were followed over the course of a year following treatment for PE. They answered quality of life questionnaires and participated in a number of physiological tests to measure their cardiopulmonary functions. All of the participants were generally healthy when they experienced their PE, so it was surprising that nearly half performed below 80% of their predicted peak oxygen uptake (a standard measure for cardiopulmonary exercise testing) one year later. These patients also scored lower in variables used to measure quality of life.

鈥淥ne of the tests we use is to see how far a patient can walk in six minutes, which is a basic measure of mobility and stamina. When someone is limited in performing this test, it is really something that is interfering with their normal day-to-day functioning,鈥� said Dr. Kahn, a Professor of Medicine at 91社区, who is recognized as a world leader in research and treating patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE).

The underlying cause of the PE did not seem to be a predictor of whether a person may experience long-term repercussions. The study did reveal that men were three times more likely to have adverse effects, younger patients fared worse, as did more overweight patients and smokers.

Though further study is required, the outcome of this research suggests that patients with PE may benefit from some form of exercise rehabilitation as part of their recovery.

In addition to Dr. Kahn, Drs. Andrew Hirsch and Lawrence Rudski from the Department of Medicine and Dr. Christopher Rush from the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the JGH contributed to the study.

March is Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month. CETAC is hosting an information kiosk at the entrance to Pavilion K at the JGH on Wednesday March 22 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The public is invited to stop by to learn more about these disorders, as well as to test their knowledge, win prizes and enjoy tea.

For further information or to arrange interviews with Dr. Kahn, contact:

Tod Hoffman
Research Communications Officer
Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital
Office: 514-340-8222, ext. 28661
Cell: 514-433-3500
thoffman [at] jgh.mcgill.ca

For further information about the Lady Davis Institute, visit http:

For further information about the Jewish General Hospital, visit