Diagnosis Of Acute Pulmonary Embolism Research Articles

Rapid prediction of adverse outcomes for acute normotensive pulmonary embolism: derivation of the Calgary Acute Pulmonary Embolism score.

BackgroundAcute pulmonary embolism (PE) has a wide spectrum of outcomes, but the best method to risk-stratify normotensive patients for adverse outcomes remains unclear.MethodsA multicentre retrospective cohort study of acute PE patients admitted from emergency departments in Calgary, Canada, between 2012 and 2017 was used to develop a refined acute PE risk score. The composite primary outcome of in-hospital PE-related death or haemodynamic decompensation. The model was internally validated using bootstrapping and the prognostic value of the derived risk score was compared to the Bova score.ResultsOf 2067 patients with normotensive acute PE, the primary outcome (haemodynamic decompensation or PE-related death) occurred in 32 (1.5%) patients. In simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index high-risk patients (n=1498, 78%), a multivariable model used to predict the primary outcome retained computed tomography (CT) right–left ventricular diameter ratio ≥1.5, systolic blood pressure 90–100 mmHg, central pulmonary artery clot and heart rate ≥100 beats·min−1 with a C-statistic of 0.89 (95% CI 0.82–0.93). Three risk groups were derived using a weighted score (score, prevalence, primary outcome event rate): group 1 (0–3, 73.8%, 0.34%), group 2 (4–6, 17.6%, 5.8%), group 3 (7–9, 8.7%, 12.8%) with a C-statistic 0.85 (95% CI 0.78–0.91). In comparison the prevalence (primary outcome) by Bova risk stages (n=1179) were stage I 49.8% (0.2%); stage II 31.9% (2.7%); and stage III 18.4% (7.8%) with a C-statistic 0.80 (95% CI 0.74–0.86).ConclusionsA simple four-variable risk score using clinical data immediately available after CT diagnosis of acute PE predicts in-hospital adverse outcomes. External validation of the Calgary Acute Pulmonary Embolism score is required.

Case Report: Successful revascularization in massive pulmonary embolism with a large protruding thrombus and dilated cardiomyopathy

Pulmonary embolism is a potentially life-threatening condition. Despite advances in diagnostics, lack of consensus and delays in determining the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism are still important problems. We report the diagnosis and management of a 37-year-old man suffering from massive pulmonary embolism, a large protruding thrombus, and dilated cardiomyopathy. Echocardiography showed dilatation of all cardiac chambers, a large protruding thrombus in the right atrium to the inferior vena cava, impaired left and right ventricular systolic function, and global hypokinetic of the left ventricle with eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy. A thoracic computerized tomography scan showed pulmonary embolism with infarction. The patient’s blood pressure was 60/40 mmHg and heart rate was 110 bpm. The patient was diagnosed with high-risk acute pulmonary embolism. We gave him hemodynamic support and reperfusion therapy with a loading dose of 250,000 units of Streptokinase followed by 100,000 units/hour for 24 hours. After revascularization, the patient's hemodynamic condition improved. The diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism is based on clinical symptoms, hemodynamic changes, or radiological examination. Unstable hemodynamic underlies high-risk stratification. Hypotension or shock results from obstruction of the pulmonary artery which causes increased right ventricular afterload and acute right ventricular dysfunction. Reperfusion with thrombolysis therapy could provide good outcomes in this patient. Prolonged anticoagulation should be given to prevent the recurrence of venous thromboembolism.

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis associated with empagliflozin in patients hospitalized with acute pulmonary embolism

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (Eu-DKA) is a rare but life-threatening complication in diabetic patient treated with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). A 71-year-old diabetic female treated with empagliflozin presented to the ED with shortness of breath. Diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism was confirmed initially. She was treated conservatively with subcutaneous enoxaparin 60 mg bidaily. and oxygen therapy. Respiratory distress associated with anion gap — metabolic acidosis and ketosis developed on the following days however her blood glucose levels were always within normal limit. Clinical recovery was gained after stopping the drug, administering rehydration, and insulin drip. Complica-tion of DKA without hyperglycaemia should be consid-ered while evaluating ketoacidosis in diabetic patients treated with SGLT2i, particularly in critical illness cases.

CTPA pulmonary artery distensibility in assessment of severity of acute pulmonary embolism and right ventricular function.

To investigate the characteristics of pulmonary artery distensibility (PAD) in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) and to assess the correlation of PAD with APE severity and right ventricular function. A total of 33 patients who underwent retrospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) with a definite diagnosis of APE were included in the study. According to APE severity, the patients were divided into severe (SPE) and non-severe (NSPE) groups. Data from a control group without APE matching the basic demographics of the APE patients were collected. Pulmonary artery distensibility (PAD) and right ventricular function parameters were compared among the 3 groups, their relationships were investigated, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the above parameters for the diagnosis of APE severity. The PAD values of the control, NSPE, and SPE groups were (7.877 ± 2.637) × 10−3 mm/Hg, (6.050 ± 2.011) × 10−3 mm/Hg, (4.321 ± 1.717) × 10−3 mm/Hg, respectively (P < .01). There were statistically significant differences in right ventricular function parameters among the 3 groups (P < .05). The correlation analysis between PAD and right ventricular function parameters showed a weak negative correlation (r = −0.281–−0.392). The area under the ROC curve of PAD was 0.743, the critical value was 4.200, and the sensitivity and specificity were 62.5% and 94.1%, respectively. The PAD obtained by retrospective ECG-gated CTPA could accurately evaluate APE severity and right ventricular function. As the severity of APE increases, PAD decreases, which is helpful to identify patients at high risk of APE.

Predictive Value of Circulating microRNA-134 Levels for Early Diagnosis of Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Meta-analysis.

Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a common sudden venous thromboembolism with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Several studies have concluded that microRNA-134 could be a potential biomarker for APE. However, the sensitivity of these studies varies widely. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of circulating microRNA-134 levels for APE. Four databases were searched to retrieve articles focusing on microRNA-134 detection in APE diagnosis. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 was used to evaluate the quality of the included literature. This meta-analysis included seven studies and 383 subjects. The microRNA-134 levels in APE patients were higher than those in controls (SMD = 2.84, z = 3.69, p < 0.001). The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio were 0.86 (0.72-0.94), 0.75 (0.66-0.82), and 19 (7-51), respectively. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 3.4 (2.4-4.8) and 0.18 (0.08-0.40), respectively. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.81 (0.77-0.84). Circulating microRNA-134 may be a new biomarker for the diagnosis of APE, but more tests and studies are needed to further explore and prove this. Trial registration number: PROSPERO registration #CRD42020184072.

The 2019 European guidelines on pulmonary embolism illustrated with the aid of an exemplary case report.

BackgroundThe European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) developed in collaboration with the European Respiratory Society (ERS) has been updated in 2019. Recommendations were added or updated on all stages of the evaluation and management of pulmonary embolism, encompassing diagnosis, early treatment, and long-term management.Case summaryWe illustrate an exemplary case, assembled for the purposes of this review, of a 70-year-old woman who presented at the emergency department with dyspnoea and thoracic pain. She was diagnosed with intermediate–high-risk acute PE and promptly treated with low molecular weight heparin. After 24 h of stay in intensive care unit, she was transferred to the cardiology department and switched to non-vitamin K-dependent oral anticoagulant apixaban 10 mg b.i.d. for 7 days and then 5 mg b.i.d. After discharge from the hospital 8 days later, she received standard-dose apixaban 5 mg b.i.d. for 6 months; the dose was reduced to 2.5 mg b.i.d. for long-term secondary prevention. During follow-up, investigations for PE sequelae were performed due to persisting dyspnoea.DiscussionThis exemplary case report puts into context the main novel recommendations from the 2019 ESC Guidelines, including the combination of clinical (pre-test) probability and adjusted D-dimer cut-offs for diagnosis of acute PE, the key role of right ventricular dysfunction in risk stratification, the choice and dosage of oral anticoagulant agents in early and extended anticoagulation, and the identification and management of chronic sequelae in the long-term follow-up.

Association of computed tomography pulmonary angiography findings with clinical outcome in patients with acute pulmonary embolism

Context: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the common and potentially fatal medical emergencies. The short-term mortality of PE ranges from less than 1% in hemodynamically stable patients to over 90% in patients presenting with cardiopulmonary arrest.[1] Patients presenting with PE have a high risk of mortality in the first 30 days.[2],[3],[4],[5] Echocardiography is routinely done in cases of PE for knowing cardiac status but echo being highly operator dependent, Computed Tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography (CTPA) can provide an alternative with lesser operator dependence. The main purpose of this study is to assess the prognostic value of different parameters measured by multi-detector CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in evaluating the clinical outcome of acute PE patients.Aim and Objectives: To study association of left atrium (LA) volume, LA volume index, RVV/LVV ratio, IVC reflux, interventricular septal bowing with clinical outcome.Methods and Materials: The prospective study was conducted in the Department of Radio-Diagnosis, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS), Tirupati in the time frame of March 2018 to June 2019. A total of 46 cases that were confirmed to have acute pulmonary thromboembolism on CTPA meeting the study criteria were studied for location of emboli, LA volume, LA volume index, RVV/LVV ratio, IVC reflux, interventricular septal bowing. The parameters were compared with adverse clinical outcomes which were defined as death within 30 days or escalation of therapy, according to the MAPPET-3 ( Management Strategies and Prognosis in Pulmonary Embolism Trial-3) study criteria.[7]Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square test was used for comparisons of categorical variables, and Student t-test was used for comparisons in the distributions of continuous variables by using IBM SPSS statistics 20. A P value <0.05 was considered significant.Results: Our study included 46 patients belonging to age range of 18 to 83 years with evidence of pulmonary thromboembolism on CTPA study. Out of these, 18 (39%) patients had adverse events, where 17 (37%) patients died within 30 days, and 1 (2%) had a cardiac arrest where he was revived after cardiopulmonary resuscitation within 30 days from diagnosis of acute PE. There was no difference in the distribution of age, sex or other comorbidities between the patients who had adverse events and those who did not. In our study, patients with centrally lodged thrombi showed higher mortality and other adverse events than patients with more peripherally lodged PE (p value = 0.022). There was no evidence of any statistically significant association between the IVC reflux, septal bowing, cardiac volume parameters with adverse events within 30 days of diagnosis of acute PE.Conclusion: In our study, we found the location of thrombus on CTPA to be a significant factor in predicting the adverse outcome. Other parameters like LA volume, LA volume index, RVV/LVV ratio, IVC reflux interventricular septal bowing did not demonstrate a significant relationship with 30-day adverse outcomes. The use of cardiac volumes in predicting the clinical outcome did not show any significant relationship, and this could be due to underlying conditions like hypertension, smoking, systemic diseases. The use of cardiac chamber volumes in predicting clinical outcome needs to be studied on a larger sample size to look for the role of other systemic factors affecting its volume.

Computed Tomography Pulmonary Perfusion for Prediction of Short-Term Clinical Outcome in Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Background Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is the imaging modality of choice for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PE). With computed tomography pulmonary perfusion (CTPP) additional information on lung perfusion can be assessed, but its value in PE risk stratification is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between CTPP-assessed perfusion defect score (PDS) and clinical presentation and its predictive value for adverse short-term outcome of acute PE. Patients and Methods This was an exploratory, observational study in 100 hemodynamically stable patients with CTPA-confirmed acute PE in whom CTPP was performed as part of routine clinical practice. We calculated the difference between the mean PDS in patients with versus without chest pain, dyspnea, and hemoptysis and 7-day adverse outcome. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and likelihood-ratio test were used to assess the added predictive value of PDS to CTPA parameters of right ventricle dysfunction and total thrombus load, for intensive care unit admission, reperfusion therapy and PE-related death. Results We found no correlation between PDS and clinical symptoms. PDS was correlated to reperfusion therapy ( n = 4 with 16% higher PDS, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.5–28%) and PE-related mortality ( n = 2 with 22% higher PDS, 95% CI: 4.9–38). Moreover, PDS had an added predictive value to CTPA assessment for PE-related mortality (from Chi-square 14 to 19, p = 0.02). Conclusion CTPP-assessed PDS was not correlated to clinical presentation of acute PE. However, PDS was correlated to reperfusion therapy and PE-related mortality and had an added predictive value to CTPA-reading for PE-related mortality; this added value needs to be demonstrated in larger studies.

Blood Urea Nitrogen to Serum Albumin Ratio Independently Predicts Mortality in Critically Ill Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is one of the prominent causes of death in patients with cardiovascular disease. Currently, reliable biomarkers to predict the prognosis of patients with APE are limited. The present study aimed to investigate the association of blood urea nitrogen to serum albumin (B/A) ratio and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in critically ill patients with APE. A retrospective cohort study was performed using data extracted from a freely accessible critical care database (MIMIC-III). Adult (≥18 years) patients of first ICU admission with a primary diagnosis of APE in the database were enrolled in the study. The primary endpoint was the ICU mortality rate while the 28-day mortality after ICU admission was the secondary endpoint. The data of survivors and non-survivors were compared. A total of 1048 patients with APE were enrolled in this study, of which 131 patients died in ICU and 169 patients died within 28 days after ICU admission. The B/A ratio in the non-survivors group was significantly higher compared to the survivors group (P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis revealed that the B/A ratio was an independent predictor of ICU mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.10, 95% CI 1.07-1.14, P < 0.001) and all-cause mortality within 28 days after ICU admission (hazard ratio [HR] 1.07, 95% CI 1.05-1.09, P < 0.001) in APE patients. The B/A ratio showed a greater area under the curve (AUC) of ICU mortality prediction (0.80; P < 0.001) than simplified acute physiology score II (SAPSII) (0.79), systemic inflammatory response syndrome score (SIRS) (0.62), acute physiology score III (APSIII) (0.76) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score (0.71). The B/A ratio could be a simple and useful prognostic tool to predict mortality in critically ill patients with APE.

Importance of computed tomography pulmonary angiography for predict 30-day mortality in acute pulmonary embolism patients

ObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to assess the implications of different parameters of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) to predict 30-day mortality in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) patients. Material and MethodPatients who had clinical suspicion of APE and underwent CTPA were recruited in a retrospective cohort study. The findings of the CTPA included the parameters of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), the severity of obstruction to the pulmonary artery by CT obstruction index, and the ratio of pulmonary trunk diameter and aorta. The endpoint of the study was established as the 30-day mortality associated with APE. ResultsA total of 238 patients with a confirmed APE diagnosis with CTPA were included in the study; 26 (10.9 %) of those patients died within 30 days. In patients with cancer and the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) class 5, the mortality rate was significantly higher. Compared with survivors, the mean CT obstruction index in the non-survivor group was significantly higher (p < 0.001). Higher mortality was associated with all RVD parameters identified by CTPA, such as the RV/LV ratio (p < 0.001), interventricular septum deviation grade 3 (p < 0.001), increased RV diameter (p < 0.001), and IVC contrast reflux (p < 0.001). The highest adjusted odds ratio was RV diameter at 1.094, followed by PESI and the CT obstruction index at 1.040. ConclusionCTPA-detected RVD parameters and CT obstruction index can predict a 30-day mortality rate in APE patients and be used for risk stratification. In APE patients, the RV diameter of 53 mm or greater and the CT obstruction index >70% is associated with increased 30-day mortality.

Outpatient Management of Patients Following Diagnosis of Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

While guidelines recommend outpatient management of patients with low-risk pulmonary embolism (PE), little is known about the disposition of patients with PE diagnosed in United States emergency departments (EDs). We sought to determine disposition practices and subsequent health care utilization in patients with acute PE in U.S. EDs. This was a retrospective cohort study of adult ED patients with a new diagnosis of acute PE treated at 740 U.S. acute care hospitals from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2018. The primary outcome was the initial disposition following an ED visit for acute PE. Additional measures included hospital cost and 30-day revisit rate to the ED. A total of 61,070 cases were included in the overall cohort, of which 4.1% of new cases of PE were discharged from the ED. The median hospital-specific proportion of patients discharged was 3.1% (interquartile range= 0.8%-6.8%). The median odds ratio, representing the importance of the hospital in initial disposition decisions, was 2.21 (95% confidence interval= 2.05 to 2.37), which was greater than any patient-level factor with the exception of concurrent ED diagnosis of hypoxemia/respiratory failure, shock, or hypotension. Within 30days of discharge, 17.9% of discharged cases had an ED return visit to the ED only and 10.3% of patients were hospitalized. Of the 30-day ED return visits in patients initially managed as outpatients, 1.3% had a bleeding-associated diagnosis. Despite guidelines promoting outpatient management, few patients are currently discharged home in the United States; however, practice varies widely across hospitals. Return visit rates were high but most did not result in hospitalization.

Clinical safety and efficacy of thrombolytic therapy with low-dose prolonged infusion of tissue type plasminogen activator in patients with intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism.

: The patients with intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism who have acute right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and myocardial injury without overt hemodynamic compromise may be candidates for thrombolytic therapy. Alternative low-dose thrombolytic therapy strategies with prolonged infusion may further decrease the complication rates as its efficacy and safety have been previously proven in the management of prosthetic valve thrombosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of low-dose prolonged thrombolytic therapy regimen in intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism patients. This study enrolled 16 retrospectively evaluated patients (female 9, mean age: 70.9 ± 13.5 years) with the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism who were treated with low-dose and slow-infusion of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA). All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography and computed tomography scan for assessment of thrombolytic therapy success. Low-dose prolonged thrombolytic therapy was successful in all patients. The mean t-PA dose used was 48.4 ± 6.3 mg. There was residual segmental thrombus in nine (56.3%) patients after thrombolytic therapy. The arterial oxygen saturation and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion increased after thrombolytic therapy whereas heart rate, RV to left ventricular (LV) ratio, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and the frequencies of hypotension and tachypnea significantly decreased. There was no cerebrovascular accident or major bleeding requiring transfusion. There were two minor bleedings (12.5%) including hemoptysis and epistaxis. Thrombolytic therapy in these intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism patients was associated with excellent clinical outcomes and survival to discharge (100%) without any 60-day mortality. Prolonged thrombolytic therapy regimen with low-dose and slow-infusion of t-PA may be associated with lower complication rates without comprimising effectiveness in patients with acute intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism.

Increased Incidence of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Emergency Department Patients During the COVID‐19 Pandemic

Early detection of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection is integral to the clinical management of these patients. Many recently published studies have evaluated incidence of PE in hospitalized patients with COVID-191-9 , however there is relatively limited data describing patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and concomitant diagnosis of acute PE upon initial presentation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to (i) evaluate the incidence of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients undergoing computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in the emergency department (ED) across six hospitals in New York City during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to a non-pandemic period, and (ii) compare the characteristics and early outcomes of patients presenting with PE during the pandemic (n=87) to patients presenting with PE during a non-pandemic period (n=34).

Differential effect of anticoagulant treatment on vascular morphology in patients with acute pulmonary embolism

Abstract Introduction Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is described as one of the most severe consequence of acute pulmonary embolism (APE). When signs of chronic PE are present on the CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) used to diagnose APE, the question arises whether there is underlying CTEPH. The relevance of chronic lesions, as well as the effect of anticoagulant treatment on their development is currently unknown. Purpose To investigate the effect of anticoagulant treatment on CTPA derived vascular morphological abnormalities in patients with APE. Methods We performed a case-cohort study. As cases, we selected CTEPH patients who had a prior history of a first APE episode. As cohort, we selected patients who had a follow-up CTPA performed 6 months after first episode APE in the context of a clinical trial (den Exter 2015). A baseline (i.e. at moment of APE diagnosis) CTPA and a follow-up CTPA was available for all patients. Experienced chest radiologists morphologically assessed 20 segmental pulmonary arteries per patient as “normal” or “affected” (as defined by a total occlusion by thrombus, central thrombus, mural thrombus, web or tapered pulmonary artery). Pulmonary segmental vessels of the entire cohort were merged for the analysis. All patients were treated adequately with anticoagulant treatment (vitamin K antagonists, direct oral anticoagulation or low molecular weight heparin) in the period between baseline and follow-up CTPA according to current guidelines. Results A total of 30 cases and 116 controls were included. Mean time between baseline and follow-up CTPA was 193 (62) days. At baseline CTPA, 1647 (56%) of the 2920 pulmonary segmental vessels were scored as affected. Almost all central thrombi resolved after oral anticoagulant treatment (1103/1191=93%). Webs (n=85) and tapered pulmonary arteries (n=57) did not change in morphology at follow-up (Figure 1). Most vessels containing a total occlusion by a thrombus at baseline resolved completely (156/280=56%), changed to a tapered pulmonary artery (26%) or became a web (7%). Mural thrombi either remained unchanged (16/34=47%), resolved completely (29%) or became a web (24%). Conclusion After anticoagulant treatment for APE almost all central thrombi completely resolved, whereas mural thrombi or total occlusions by thrombi either resolved or transformed to a web or tapered pulmonary artery. Interestingly, none of the webs and tapered pulmonary arteries resolved after anticoagulant treatment. Therefore, webs and tapered pulmonary arteries at the moment of APE diagnosis indicate a chronic PE state. Figure 1. Web at baseline and follow-up Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Research grant from Actelion Pharmaceuticals

Mortality from Pulmonary Embolism by Clinical Severity

Aim: To report all-cause and PE related short term mortality by clinical severity of PE and to identify any missed opportunities for thrombolysis. Background: Mortality related to pulmonary embolism varies widely in the reported literature even for the same clinical severity category of PE. Method: Electronic medical records of all patients presenting to a large tertiary care teaching hospital in London, between October 1, 2018, and January 16, 2020, who had a discharge diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism were reviewed retrospectively. Results: There was no PE related mortality in the low-risk PE group. There was one PE related death in the submassive PE group (1.47% mortality on day 14 and day 30). Massive PE was associated with a 29.4% PE related mortality short-term mortality.

193 Identification and Misidentification of Cases of ED Diagnosis of Acute Pulmonary Embolism on Retrospective Chart Review

193 Identification and Misidentification of Cases of ED Diagnosis of Acute Pulmonary Embolism on Retrospective Chart Review

Clinical features of 40 elderly patients with pulmonary thromboembolism: a retrospective study

To evaluate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of elderly patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE), in order to strengthen the awareness of diagnosis of APE and reduce missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. A retrospective analysis of clinical data of 40 elderly patients (age ≥ 60 years old) diagnosed with APE admitted to TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital from January 2008 to December 2018, including risk factors, clinical features, symptoms and signs, laboratory tests, risk of pulmonary embolism (Wells score), simplified pulmonary embolism severity index (sPESI), radiological tests, treatment, and outcome, etc. were conducted. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the diagnostic value of Wells score and spiral CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in APE. A total of 40 elderly patients with APE were enrolled, male was 52.5%, and the age was (69.6±8.2) years old. The most common risk factor was deep vein thrombosis (DVT, 52.5%), followed by hypertension (37.5%) and heart failure (35.0%). The main clinical symptoms were exertional dyspnea (87.5%) and chest tightness (80.0%). Only 10.0% of patients had the triad of dyspnea, chest pain and hemoptysis at the same time. In addition, palpitation (65.0%) and lower limb swelling and pain (42.5%) were also common symptoms. The main clinical signs were shortness of breath (respiratory rate > 25 bpm, 80.0%), lung moist rales (52.5%), and tachycardia (heart rate > 100 bpm, 50.0%). The Wells score showed that 95% of the patients Wells ≥ 2, including moderate (Wells 2-6, 62.5%) and severe (Wells ≥ 7, 32.5%). Laboratory examination showed that 80.0% of patients had D-dimer > 0.5 mg/L, 72.5% had arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) < 60 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa), and 75.0% had arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) < 35 mmHg, 67.5% had brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) > 500 ng/L or N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) > 300 ng/L, and 47.5% had cardiac troponin I (cTnI) > 0.3 μg/L. The confirmed diagnosis rate of CTPA in APE was 88.6% (31/35); 5 cases were diagnosed by pulmonary ventilation/perfusion imaging in 6 cases; 4 cases were diagnosed by magnetic resonance pulmonary angiography (MRPA). The sPESI score showed that 36 patients were moderate-risk patients [26 patients with sPESI ≥ 1, and 10 patients with sPESI 0 but right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) and/or elevated cardiac biomarkers]. Thrombolytic therapy and anticoagulant therapy were performed on 17 of them: 8 were cured, 8 were improved, and 1 died; anticoagulant therapy was performed on 18 moderate-risk patients: 9 were cured, 7 were improved, 1 left the hospital without cure, and 1 died; the other 1 moderate-risk patient with PE caused by right atrial myxoma was treated by operation and ultimately died. Four low-risk patients were treated by anticoagulant therapy: 2 were cured and 2 improved. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of Wells score combined with CTPA was 0.82 (95% confidence interval was 0.73-0.98, P < 0.01), the sensitivity was 74.2%, and the specificity was 90.0%. DVT and chronic diseases are the most common risk factors for APE in the elderly patients, often accompanied by dyspnea, chest tightness, and lower limb swelling and pain. Early anticoagulation therapy in elderly APE can make a good prognosis. Wells score has an important predictive value for the diagnosis of APE, while blood D-dimer is an important exclusion parameter. CTPA test is the main diagnostic method for APE. The sPESI score can suggest risk stratification and prognosis, and further guided treatment.

Effects of Thrombolytic Therapy in Low-Risk Patients With Pulmonary Embolism

We performed this investigation to determine the effects on mortality of thrombolytic therapy in low-risk patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). This was a retrospective cohort study based on administrative data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 2016 and 2017. Patients with a primary (first-listed) diagnosis of acute PE who were not in shock and not on a ventilator who did not have acute cor pulmonale were defined as low-risk. Patients were identified by International Classification of Diseases-10-Clinical Modification Codes. Mortality was assessed according to treatment with catheter-directed thrombolysis, intravenous thrombolytic therapy, or anticoagulants alone. Mortality with inferior vena cava (IVC) filters was also assessed. Mortality was lowest in low-risk patients treated with anticoagulants alone, 6,765 of 331,430 (2.0%). Mortality was somewhat higher with catheter-directed thrombolysis, 195 of 6915 (2.8%; p <0.0001), and highest with intravenous thrombolysis 510 of 5,200 (9.8%; p <0.0001). Matched patients showed similar results. IVC filters did not reduce mortality in patients treated with anticoagulants alone. Mortality was only 0.5% higher in patients treated with anticoagulants who had saddle PE than in patients with nonsaddle PE, 450 of 17,935 (2.5%) versus 6,315 of 313,495 (2.0%; p <0.0001). However, a larger proportion of low-risk patients with saddle PE received catheter-directed thrombolysis than patients who had nonsaddle PE, 2,330 of 21,760 (11%) versus 4,585 of 321,785 (1.4%; p <0.0001). Similarly, a larger proportion of patients with saddle PE received intravenous thrombolytic therapy than patients with nonsaddle PE, 1,495 of 21,760 (6.9%) versus 3,705 of 321,785 (1.2%; p <0.0001). In conclusion, low-risk patients with PE did not have lower mortality with catheter-directed thrombolysis or intravenous thrombolytic therapy than with anticoagulants alone, and IVC filters did not reduce mortality with anticoagulants alone.

Performance of the Quantitative Latex Immunoturbidimetric D-dimer Assay for the Diagnosis of Acute Pulmonary Embolism at Rafik Hariri University Hospital

Background and aims: The diagnostic workup for pulmonary embolism (PE) includes D-dimer assay and computed tomographic angiography. Several D-dimer assays have been approved for PE diagnosis with different sensitivity and specificity. We aimed to study the sensitivity and specificity of the quantitative latex agglutination D-dimer assay used in a referral teaching hospital in Lebanon for the diagnosis of acute PE. Methods: Using a retrospective chart review, we studied 300 patients who had D-dimer test at Rafik Hariri University Hospital in the period between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013. Accordingly, 93 patients had a CT angiography after being suspected to have acute PE. A statistical table 2*2 was used to compare the results of CT angiography and D-dimer test. Results: Thirteen patients (13.97%) had PE and 60 patients (64.51%) had positive D-dimer test. Quantitative latex agglutination D-dimer assay had a sensitivity of 69%, specificity of 36%, and negative predictive value of 88%. False positive ratio was also 64%. Moreover, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was obtained with an area under the curve measuring 0.527. Conclusion: Quantitative latex agglutination D-dimer assay has a high negative predictive value; thus, it can exclude a PE diagnosis if it is associated with low clinical pretest probability.

Analysis of the Ventilation Scan in the Evaluation of CTEPH

Early diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and a subsequent fast response in thrombolytics treatment is a key element in preventing progression to Chronic Thrombo-Embolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH).