[Pulmonary embolism in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations of unknown origin: clinical characteristics and risk factors].

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of pulmonary embolism(PE) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations of unknown origin and to explore the risk factors associated with PE.

Methods: A total of 208 consecutive patients with COPD were referred to this hospital for severe exacerbations of unknown origin. Their age was 50 - 82 years, with a mean of (62 ± 12) years.