Search Results (5)

Pulmonary embolism (PE) embodies a large healthcare burden globally and is the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Submassive (intermediate-risk) PE accounts for 40% of this burden. However, the optimal treatment pathway for this population remains complex and ill-defined. Catheter-directed interventions (CDIs) have shown promise in directly impacting morbidity and mortality while demonstrating a favorable success rate, safety profile, and decreased length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit and hospital. This retrospective review included 22 patients (50% female) with submassive PE who underwent mechanical thrombectomy (MT). A total of 45% had a contraindication to thrombolytics, the mean pulmonary embolism severity index was 127, 36% had saddle PE, the average decrease in mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) was 7.2 mmHg following MT, the average LOS was 6.9 days, the 30-day mortality rate was 9%, the major adverse event (MAE) rate was 9%, and the readmission rate was 13.6%. A total of 82% had successful removal of thrombus during MT with no major bleeding complications, intracranial hemorrhage events, or device-related deaths. Acknowledging the limitation of our small sample size, our data indicate that MT in the intermediate-high-risk submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) cohort resulted in a decreased hospital length of stay (LOS) and in-hospital mortality compared to standard anticoagulation therapy alone. Full article

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant cause of cardiovascular mortality, with varying presentations and management challenges. Traditional treatment approaches often differ, particularly for submassive/intermediate-risk PEs, because of the lack of clear guidelines and comparative data on treatment efficacy. The introduction of pulmonary embolism response teams (PERTs) aims to standardize and improve outcomes in acute PE management through multidisciplinary collaboration. This review examines the conception, evolution, and operational mechanisms of PERTs while providing a critical analysis of their implementation and efficacy using retrospective trials and recent randomized trials. The study also explores the integration of advanced therapeutic devices and treatment protocols facilitated by PERTs. PERT programs have significantly influenced the management of both massive and submassive PEs, with notable improvements in clinical outcomes such as decreased mortality and reduced length of hospital stay. The utilization of advanced therapies, including catheter-directed thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, has increased under PERT guidance. Evidence from various studies, including those from the National PERT Consortium, underscores the benefits of these multidisciplinary teams in managing complex PE cases, despite some studies showing no significant difference in mortality. PERT programs have demonstrated potentials to reduce morbidity and mortality, streamlining the use of healthcare resources and fostering a model of sustainable practice across medical centers. PERT program implementation appears to have improved PE treatment protocols and innovated advanced therapy options, which will be further refined as they are employed in clinical practice. The continued expansion of the capabilities of PERTs and the forthcoming results from ongoing randomized trials are expected to further define and optimize management protocols for acute PEs. Full article

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is characterized hemodynamically by abrupt obstruction in trans-pulmonary blood flow. The echocardiographic Pulmonary to Left Atrial ratio (ePLAR, tricuspid regurgitation V_max/mitral E/e’) has been validated as a non-invasive surrogate for trans-pulmonary gradient (TPG) that accurately differentiates pre-capillary from post-capillary chronic pulmonary hypertension. This study assessed ePLAR as an incremental echocardiographic assessment tool compared with traditional measures of right ventricular pressure and function. Methods: In total, 110 (57.4 ± 17.6 years) patients with confirmed sub-massive pulmonary emboli with contemporaneous echocardiograms (0.3 ± 0.9 days) were compared with 110 age-matched controls (AMC). Results: Tricuspid velocities were higher than AMC (2.6 ± 0.6 m/s vs. 2.4 ± 0.3 m/s, p < 0.05), although still consistent with “normal” right ventricular systolic pressures (34.2 ± 13.5 mmHg vs. 25 ± 5.3 mmHg, p < 0.05) with lower mitral E/e’ values (8.2 ± 3.8 vs. 10.8 ± 5.1, p < 0.05). ePLAR values were higher than AMC (0.36 ± 0.14 m/s vs. 0.26 ± 0.10, p < 0.05) suggesting significantly elevated TPG. Detection of abnormal echocardiographic findings increased from 29% (TRV_max ≥ 2.9 m/s) and 32% (reduced tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) to 70% with ePLAR ≥ 0.3 m/s. Conclusions: Raised ePLAR values in acute sub-massive pulmonary embolism suggest elevated trans-pulmonary gradients even in the absence of acutely increased pulmonary artery pressures. ePLAR dramatically increases the sensitivity of echocardiography for detection of hemodynamic perturbations in sub-massive pulmonary embolism patients, which may offer clinical utility in diagnosis and management. Full article

The purpose is to investigate how the outcomes of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) versus anticoagulation alone for acute submassive PE would affect clinical decision-making. An online survey was sent to the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team Consortium members and the North American Thrombosis Forum members. Participants rated their preference for CDT on a 5-point scale in 5 RCT outcome scenarios. In all scenarios, subjects in the CDT group walked farther at 1-year than those in the anticoagulation group. A total of 83.3% of patients and 67.1% of physicians preferred CDT (score > 3) if it improved exercise capacity and did not increase bleeding. In every scenario, patients scored CDT higher than physicians (p < 0.05 for each). Bleeding and clinical deterioration were independently associated with the mean score. Patients’ age, gender, and history of PE did not influence CDT scores (p = 0.083, p = 0.071, p = 0.257 respectively). For patients, 60% > 60 years, 65.5% < 60 years, 57.1% of men, and 66.3% of women preferred CDT across scenarios. In conclusion, the majority of respondents would choose CDT if it improves long-term exercise capacity and does not increase bleeding. Patients appear to accept a higher bleeding risk than physicians if CDT improves long-term exercise capacity. Full article

Background and objective: Recently, some of the hemogram parameters were reported to predict early death in acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of mean platelet volume (MPV) and MPV/platelet count ratio (MPV/P), WBC and red cell distribution width (RDW) in risk stratification of patients with acute PE.
Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with acute PE admitted to the Emergency Department. In addition to the clinical evaluation, the hemogram parameters were measured on admission.
Results: A total of 152 patients were included. Patients with RV dysfunction had significantly higher MPV levels and MPV/P than patients without RV dysfunction. Receiver operating char- acteristiccurveanalysisrevealedthataMPVcut-offof7.85 fLprovidedasensitivityof53.3%anda specificity of 68.5%, and a MPV/P cut-off of 0.0339 fL/(10⁹/L) provided a sensitivity of 69.6% and a specificity of 65% for the prediction of RV dysfunction. There was a positive correlation between MPV and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) and between MPV and RV diameter. There was a positive correlation between MPV/P and SPAP and between MPV/P and RV diameter. The low-risk PE group had lower MPV and MPV/P than the massive PE and submassive PE groups.
Conclusions: MPV and MPV/P were found to be associated with RV dysfunction and clinical severity in acute PE. Low MPV and MPV/P levels may be an indicator of low risk and, high WBC levels may be an indicator of high risk in patients with acute PE. RDW levels may not reflect severity of acute PE. Full article