Emergency angiography in acute pulmonary embolism: role in clinically suspected cases (original) (raw)
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A Single Imaging Modality in the Diagnosis, Severity, and Prognosis of Pulmonary Embolism
BioMed Research International, 2014
Introduction. This study aimed to investigate the currency of computerized tomography pulmonary angiography-based parameters as pulmonary artery obstruction index (PAOI), as well as right ventricular diameters for pulmonary embolism (PE) risk evaluation and prediction of mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) requirement. Materials and Methods. The study retrospectively enrolled 203 patients hospitalized with acute PE. PAOI was calculated according to Qanadli score. Results. Forty-three patients (23.9%) were hospitalized in the ICU. Nineteen patients (10.6%) died during the 30-day follow-up period. The optimal cutoff value of PAOI for PE 30th day mortality and ICU requirement were found as 36.5% in ROC curve analysis. The pulmonary artery systolic pressure had a significant positive correlation with right/left ventricular diameter ratio ( = 0.531, < 0.001), PAOI ( = 0.296, < 0.001), and pulmonary artery diameter ( = 0.659, < 0.001). The patients with PAOI values higher than 36.5% have a 5.7-times increased risk of death. Conclusion. PAOI is a fast and promising parameter for risk assessment in patients with acute PE. With greater education of clinicians in this radiological scoring, a rapid assessment for diagnosis, clinical risk evaluation, and prognosis may be possible in emergency services without the need for echocardiography.
Kardiologia polska, 2012
Despite significant progress on the diagnosis work-up of patients with suspented acute pulmonary embolism (APE), several therapeutic and prognostic issues have not yet been well established. We analysed the clinical course of 353 consecutive patients (141 males, 212 females, mean age 64.7 ± 18.12 years) with APE confirmed by contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography who were diagnosed and treated in a reference hospital between 2007 and 2009. Among patients with APE, groups with high (HR), intermediate (IR) and low (LR) risk of early mortality were defined according to the recent European Society of Cardiology guidelines. High, intermediate and low risk groups included 23 patients (10 M, 13 F, age 70.13 ± 16.95 years), 146 patients (61 M, 85 F, age 65.77 ± 17.74 years), and 184 patients (70 M, 114 F, age 63.17 ± 18.45 years), respectively. Majority of patients (91.8%) were anticoagulated only with unfractionated or low-molecular-weight heparin, and thrombolysis was used in...
Triage for suspected acute Pulmonary Embolism: Think before opening Pandora's Box
European Journal of Radiology, 2015
This is a review of the current strengths and weaknesses of the various imaging modalities available for the diagnosis of suspected non-massive Pulmonary Embolism (PE). Without careful consideration for the clinical presentation, and the timely application of clinical decision support (CDS) methodology, the current overutilization of imaging resources for this disease will continue. For a patient with a low clinical risk profile and a negative D-dimer there is no reason to consider further workup with imaging; as the negative predictive value in this scenario is the same as imaging. While the current efficacy and effectiveness data support the continued use of Computed Tomographic angiography (CTA) as the imaging golden standard for the diagnosis of PE; this test does have the unintended consequences of radiation exposure, possible overdiagnosis and overuse. There is a persistent lack of appreciation on the part of ordering physicians for the effectiveness of the alternatives to CTA (ventilation-perfusion imaging and contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography) in these patients. Careful use of standardized protocols for patient triage and the application of CDS will allow for a better use of imaging resources.
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 2013
To determine the effectiveness of MR angiography for pulmonary embolism (MRA-PE) in symptomatic patients. We retrospectively reviewed all patients whom were evaluated for possible pulmonary embolism (PE) using MRA-PE. A 3-month and 1-year from MRA-PE electronic medical record (EMR) review was performed. Evidence for venous thromboembolism (VTE) (or death from PE) within the year of follow-up was the outcome surrogate for this study. There were 190 MRA-PE exams performed with 97.4% (185/190) of diagnostic quality. There were 148 patients (120 F: 28 M) that had both a diagnostic MRA-PE exam and 1 complete year of EMR follow-up. There were 167 patients (137 F: 30 M) with 3 months or greater follow-up. We found 83% (139/167) and 81% (120/148) MRA-PE exams negative for PE at 3 months and 1 year, respectively. Positive exams for PE were seen in 14% (23/167). During the 1-year follow-up period, five patients (false negative) were diagnosed with DVT (5/148 = 3.4 %), and one of these patients also experienced a non-life-threatening PE. The negative predictive value (NPV) for MRA-PE was 97% (92-99; 95% CI) at 3 months and 96% (90-98; 95% CI) with 1 year of follow-up. The NPV of MRA-PE, when used for the primary diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in symptomatic patients, were found to be similar to the published values for CTA-PE. In addition, the technical success rate and safety of MRA-PE were excellent.
CT Angiography in the Evaluation of Acute Pulmonary Embolus
American Journal of Roentgenology, 2008
than 80% of deaths from PE occurring in the first 30 minutes and 90% within the first 2.5 hours of the event [1-3]. The patients who survive to be referred for diagnostic evaluation are a very different subset of this population. It has been suggested [1] that the mortality and recurrence rates in this population are likely as low as 5%, even if the patient is not treated. The perceived risks associated with a missed PE diagnosis with regard to morbidity and mortality leave treating physicians with the challenge of how best to approach patients
Challenges in the Diagnosis Acute Pulmonary Embolism
The American Journal of Medicine, 2008
The state of the art of diagnostic evaluation of hemodynamically stable patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism was reviewed. Diagnostic evaluation should begin with clinical assessment using a validated prediction rule in combination with measurement of D-dimer when appropriate. Imaging should follow only when necessary. Although with 4-slice computed tomography (CT) and 16-slice CT, the sensitivity for detection of pulmonary embolism was increased by combining CT angiography with CT venography, it is not known whether CT venography increases the sensitivity of 64-slice CT angiography. Methods to reduce the radiation exposure of CT venography include imaging only the proximal leg veins (excluding the pelvis) and obtaining discontinuous images. Compression ultrasound can be used instead. In young women, radiation of the breasts produces the greatest risk of radiation-induced cancer. It may be that scintigraphy is the imaging test of choice in such patients, but this pathway should be tested prospectively. A patient-specific approach to the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism can be taken safely in hemodynamically stable patients to increase efficiency and decrease cost and exposure to radiation.
Computed Tomographic Angiography in Acute Pulmonary Embolism
Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography, 2008
Purpose: To compare the indices of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) obtained from axial transverse images with those derived from the reconstructed 4-chamber and short-axis views in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Materials and Methods: Eighty-eight patients with acute PE were retrospectively enrolled. For each patient, axial transverse images and reconstructed 4-chamber and short-axis views were reviewed. Measurements of the ratios of right ventricle to left ventricle (RV/ LV) diameters and RV/LV areas were then obtained from all series. Values derived from each method were compared and correlated to arterial obstruction index. Results: In the studied cohort, RV/LV diameters and RV/LV areas obtained from axial transverse images and the reconstructed 4chamber views were not statistically different. In contrast, a statistically significant difference was observed between the values of RV/LV areas derived from both axial transverse and 4-chamber views and those obtained from short-axis views (P G 0.0001). There was a weak to moderate correlation between both RV/LV diameters and RV/LV areas and the computed tomographic obstruction index. However, when the study cohort was divided into 3 subgroups with an arterial obstruction index of less than 15% (n = 26), 15% to 30% (n = 21), and greater than 30% (n = 41), those who had values greater than 30% revealed the highest correlation with the indices of RVD. Conclusions: In patients with acute PE, the indices of RVD derived from axial transverse images and the reconstructed 4-chamber views yield comparative values. Given the simplicity of the former analysis, it should be taken into consideration for risk stratification in acute PE.
Guidelines on diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism
European Heart Journal, 2000
T h e E u r o p e a n S o c i e t y o f C a r d i o l o g y diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism. The Guidelines were developed with the help of a budget assigned to the Task Force by the European Society of Cardiology and without the involvement of any commercial organization. The list of all contributors is given in the Appendix.
Performance of magnetic resonance angiography in suspected acute pulmonary embolism
Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 2005
SummaryPulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and potentially fatal disorder. Non-specific findings make the clinical diagnosis of PE difficult. To assess the diagnostic value and inter-observer agreement of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in a cohort of patients with suspected PE, we conducted a prospective clinical study. MRA was compared for sensitivity and specificity to a diagnostic strategy including clinical probability, D-dimer testing, spiral CT, ultrasound leg compression and pulmonary angiography. A total of 89 patients with clinically suspected PE were included: the clinical probability of PE was intermediate or high in 78, and low in the remaining 11. All patients underwent mono-or multi-slice spiral CT and MRA with gadolinium injection (both within 24 hours of entry to the study). Anticoagulation was withheld in patients concerned about the strategy. All subjects were followed up for 3 months. MRA was read independently by two experienced teams of radiologists: one l...