Pulmonary embolism in neurocritical care-introduction of a novel grading system for risk stratification: the Frankfurt AMBOS score

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism (PE) due to deep vein thrombosis is a complication with severe morbidity and mortality rates. Neurocritical care patients constitute an inhomogeneous cohort with often strict contraindications to conventional embolism treatment. The aim of the present study is to identify risk factors for pulmonary embolism for intensified risk stratification in this demanding cohort. In this retrospective analysis, 387 neurocritical care patients received computed tomography for clinical suspicion of PE (304 neurosurgical and 83 neurological patients). Analysed parameters included age, gender, disease pattern, the presence of deep vein thrombosis, resuscitation, in-hospital mortality, present anticoagulation, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, smoking status, hypertension and ABO blood type. Computed tomography confirmed 165 cases of pulmonary embolism among 387 patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism (42%). Younger age (p < 0.0001), female gender (p < 0.006), neurooncological disease (p < 0.002), non-O blood type (p < 0.002) and the absence of Marcumar therapy (p < 0.003) were identified as significant risk factors for pulmonary embolism. On the basis of the identified risk factors, the AMBOS score system is introduced. Neurocritical care patients with high AMBOS score are at elevated risk for PE and should therefore be put under intensified monitoring for cardiovascular events in neurocritical care units.