Is There a Relationship Between Bladder Outlet Obstruction due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Pulmonary Thromboembolism?

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia with chronic bladder outlet obstruction has been associated with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and fatal pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). To evaluate this further, 60 autopsy cases of men with PTE were compared with 60 age-matched controls. The criteria for outlet obstruction were macroscopic prostatic enlargement with bladder trabeculation and benign prostatic hyperplasia on microscopy. Ten of the 60 men (16.7%) with fatal PTE had evidence of bladder outlet obstruction (age 57-78 years; mean 71.4 years). Of the 60 controls, 12 had evidence of bladder outlet obstruction (20%) (age 67-86 years; mean 75.5 years). No significant relationship could be demonstrated between bladder outlet obstruction and fatal PTE cases (p = 0.8). Given reports of this association, however, it is possible that bladder distension with venous compression may act as a risk modifier in certain individuals in association with other significant comorbidities, but this risk appears low.

Effect of partial bladder outlet obstruction and reversal on rabbit bladder physiology and biochemistry: duration of recovery period and severity of function

“…Partial BOO in the rabbit has been shown to be a reliable model for bladder dysfunction secondary to BPH in men . More than 80% of men > 50 years of age have some degree of BOO secondary to BPH and experience bladder problems as a result of their enlarged prostates .…”