Clinical studyThe hemodynamic response to pulmonary embolism in patients without prior cardiopulmonary disease
Abstract
The hemodynamic status of 20 patients free of prior cardiopulmonary disease was related to the degree of pulmonary embolic obstruction estimated by selective pulmonary angiography. Angiographic estimation of obstruction ranged from 13 to 68 percent. Systemic arterial hypoxemia occurred in virtually all patients (95 percent) including those with only 13 percent obstruction, thus suggesting that angiographically detectable emboli virtually do not occur without producing systemic hypoxemia. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure was increased in 14 patients (70 percent) and was consistently increased when obstruction exceeded 30 percent. Elevation of the level of mean right atrial pressure was found in 10 patients (50 percent) and was usually associated with obstruction in excess of 35 percent and mean pulmonary arterial pressure in excess of 30 mm Hg. Good correlation was observed between mean pulmonary arterial pressure and angiographic estimation of obstruction (P < 0.01), mean right atrial pressure and obstruction (P < 0.01), mean pulmonary and right atrial pressures (P < 0.01), and pO2 and obstruction (P < 0.05). Cardiac index was characteristically normal or mildly increased, being below the lower limit of normal in only 4 patients (20 percent). In patients who had not experienced cardiac failure, the cardiac index appeared to increase as systemic arterial pO2 decreased (P < 0.01) once hypoxemia was well established. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure never exceeded 40 mm Hg, despite massive obstruction in some patients, thereby suggesting that this level approximates the maximal pressure response of the previously normal right ventricle.
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Cited by (374)
Underuse of reperfusion therapy with systemic thrombolysis in high-risk acute pulmonary embolism in a Portuguese center
2024, Revista Portuguesa de CardiologiaReperfusion therapy is generally recommended in acute high-risk pulmonary embolism (HR-PE), but several population-based studies report that it is underused. Data on epidemiology, management and outcomes of HR-PE in Portugal are scarce.
To determine the reperfusion rate in HR-PE patients, the reasons for non-reperfusion, and how it influences outcomes.
In this retrospective cohort study of consecutive HR-PE patients admitted to a thromboembolic disease referral center between 2008 and 2018, independent predictors for non-reperfusion were assessed by multivariate logistic regression. PE-related mortality and long-term MACE (cardiovascular mortality, PE recurrence and chronic thromboembolic disease) were calculated according to the Kaplan–Meier method. Differences stratified by reperfusion were assessed using the log-rank test.
Of 1955 acute PE patients, 3.8% presented with hemodynamic instability. The overall reperfusion rate was 50%: 35 patients underwent systemic thrombolysis, one received first-line percutaneous embolectomy and one rescue endovascular treatment. Independent predictors of non-reperfusion were: age, with >75 years representing 12 times the risk of non-treatment (OR 11.9, 95% CI 2.7–52.3, p=0.001); absolute contraindication for thrombolysis (31.1%), with recent major surgery and central nervous system disease as the most common reasons (OR 16.7, 95% CI 3.2–87.0, p<0.001); and being hospitalized (OR 7.7, 95% CI 1.4–42.9, p=0.020). At a mean follow-up of 2.5 ± 3.3 years, the survival rate was 33.8%. Although not reaching statistical significance for hospital mortality, mortality in the reperfusion group was significantly lower at 30 days, 12 months and during follow-up (relative risk reduction of death of 64% at 12 months, p=0.013). Similar results were found for MACE.
In this population, the recommended reperfusion therapy was performed in only 50% of patients, with advanced age and absolute contraindications to fibrinolysis being the main predictors of non-reperfusion. In this study, thrombolysis underuse was associated with a significant increase in short- and long-term mortality and events.
A reperfusão é geralmente o tratamento recomendado no tromboembolismo pulmonar de alto risco (TEP-AR), embora vários estudos populacionais reportem a sua subutilização. Em Portugal, não existem dados sobre incidência, tratamento e eventos nesta população.
Estimar a taxa de reperfusão na população com TEP-AR, os motivos de não reperfusão (NR) e o seu impacto nos resultados clínicos destes doentes (dts).
Coorte retrospetiva de dts consecutivos com TEP-AR num centro de referência (2008 a 2018). Os preditores independentes de NR foram estudados através de regressão logística multivariada. As incidências de mortalidade relacionada com TEP e de MACE no seguimento (morte cardiovascular, recorrência de TEP e hipertensão pulmonar tromboembólica crónica) foram calculadas pelo método de Kaplan-Meier. As diferenças entre grupos de reperfusão foram estratificadas pelo teste log-rank.
De 1955 dts com TEP agudo, 3,8% apresentaram-se hemodinamicamente instáveis. A taxa de reperfusão total foi 50% - 35 dts com trombólise sistémica, 1 dt com embolectomia percutânea primária e 1 dt com tratamento endovascular de recurso. Os preditores independentes de NR foram: idade, ter > 75 anos associou-se a 12 vezes mais risco de NR (OR 11,9, 95%CI 2,7-52,3, p=0,001); contraindicações absolutas para trombólise (31,1%), sendo a cirurgia major recente e a doença do sistema nervoso central as causas mais comuns (OR 16,7, IC95% 3,2-87,0, p<0,001); estar hospitalizado (OR 7,7, 95%CI 1,4-42,9, p=0,020). Com um seguimento médio de 2,5±3,3 anos, a sobrevida foi de 33,8%. Apesar de o impacto na mortalidade intra-hospitalar não ter atingido significado estatisticamente significativo. O grupo da reperfusão mostrou uma melhoria significativa da mortalidade aos 30 dias, 12 meses e no seguimento (com uma redução de risco relativo de 64% na mortalidade a 12 meses, p=0,013). Os resultados na redução de MACE foram semelhantes.
Na população analisada, a terapêutica recomendada de reperfusão foi registada em apenas 50% dos doentes, sendo a idade avançada e a presença de contraindicações absolutas para fibrinólise os principais preditores de não tratamento. Neste estudo, a subutilização de trombólise associou-se a um aumento significativo de mortalidade e eventos cardiovasculares a curto e longo prazo.
In-hospital mortality of high-risk pulmonary embolism: a nationwide population-based cohort study in Portugal from 2010 to 2018
2024, PulmonologyThe mortality associated with high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) is remarkably high, and reperfusion to unload right ventricle should be a priority. However, several registries report reperfusion underuse. In Portugal, epidemiological data about the incidence, rate of reperfusion and mortality of high-risk PE are not known.
Nationwide population-based temporal trend study in the incidence and outcome of high-risk PE, who were admitted to hospitals of the National Health Service in Portugal between 2010 and 2018. High-risk PE was defined as patients with PE who developed cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. International Classification of Diseases (ICD), 9th and 10th revision, Clinical Modification codes, were used for data from the period between 2010 and 2016 (ICD-9-CM) and 2017–2018 (ICD-10-CM), respectively. The assessment focused on trends in the use of reperfusion treatment, which was defined by application of thrombolysis or pulmonary embolectomy. A comparison was made between the use or non-use of reperfusion therapy in order to examine trends in in-hospital mortality among high-risk PE cases.
From 2010 and 2018, there were 40.311 hospitalization episodes for PE in adult patients at hospitals of the National Health Service in mainland Portugal. There was a significant increase in the annual incidence of PE (41/100.000 inhabitants in 2010 to 46/100.000 in 2018; R2=0.582, p = 0.010). The average annual incidence was 45/100.000 inhabitants/year, with 2,7% of the PE episodes (1104) categorized as high-risk. The mortality rate associated with high-risk PE was high, although it has decreased over the years (74.2% in 2010 to 63.6% in 2018; R2=0.484; p = 0.022). Thrombolytic therapy was underused in high-risk PE, and its usage has not increased in recent years (17.3% in 2010 to 21.1% in 2018, R2=-0.127; p = 0.763). Surgical pulmonary embolectomy was used in 0.27% of cases, and there was no registry of catheter-directed thrombolysis. Patients with high-risk PE undergoing reperfusion therapy had lower in-hospital mortality compared to non-reperfused patients (OR=0.52; IC95% 0.38–0.70).
In Portugal, between 2010 and 2018, very few patients with PE developed high-risk forms of the disease, but the mortality rate among those patients was high. The low reperfusion rate could be associated with high in-hospital mortality and highlights the need to implement advanced therapies, as an alternative to systemic thrombolysis.
Prevalence and predictors of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension following severe forms of acute pulmonary embolism
2023, Revista Portuguesa de CardiologiaThe true prevalence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) after pulmonary embolism (PE) in the Portuguese population remains unknown. We aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of CTEPH two years after a symptomatic high- (HR) or intermediate-high risk (IHR) PE.
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted with PE between 2014 and 2019 to a Portuguese referral center for pulmonary hypertension.
In this single-center registry of 969 patients admitted with PE (annual incidence of 46/100 000 population), 194 had HR (5.4%) and IHR (14.7%) PE. After excluding patients who died or had no follow-up in the first three months, 129 patients were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of suspected CTEPH by clinical assessment, Doppler echocardiography and V/Q lung scan was 6.2% (eight patients). CTEPH was confirmed by right heart catheterization in four of these (3.1%). Increased pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) at admission (OR 1.12; 95% CI 1.04–1.22; p=0.005) and the presence of varicose veins in the lower limbs (OR 7.47; 95% CI 1.53–36.41; p=0.013) were predictors of CTEPH. PASP >60 mmHg at admission identified patients with CTEPH at follow-up with sensitivity and specificity of 83.3% and 76.3%, respectively. All patients diagnosed with CTEPH had at least two radiological findings suggestive of CTEPH at the index event.
In our cohort, the prevalence of CTEPH in survivors of severe forms of acute PE was 6.2%. PASP above 60 mmHg and supporting radiological findings on the index computed tomography scan are highly suggestive of acute-on-chronic CTEPH.
A prevalência da hipertensão pulmonar tromboembólica crónica (HPTEC) após embolia pulmonar aguda (EP) na população portuguesa permanece desconhecida. O objetivo do nosso trabalho foi avaliar a prevalência e os fatores de risco de HPTEC dois anos após uma EP sintomática de alto risco (A) e risco intermédio-alto (IA).
Estudo de coorte retrospetivo que inclui doentes admitidos com EP entre 2014-2019 num centro de referência nacional para hipertensão pulmonar.
Dos 969 doentes admitidos com EP (incidência anual de 46/100.000 habitantes), 194 foram estratificados como EP de risco A (5,4%) e IA (14,7%). Após exclusão dos doentes que faleceram ou sem seguimento nos primeiros três meses, 129 doentes foram incluídos na análise. A prevalência geral de HPTEC suspeita por avaliação clínica, ecocardiograma com Doppler e cintigrafia pulmonar de ventilação/perfusão foi de 6,2% (8 doentes). HPTEC foi confirmada por cateterismo cardíaco direito em quatro desses doentes (3,1%). A elevação da pressão sistólica da artéria pulmonar (PAPs) na admissão (OR 1,12; IC95% 1,04-1,22; p=0,005) e a presença de varizes nos membros inferiores (OR 7,47; IC95% 1,53-36,41; p=0,013) foram preditores de HPTEC. PAPs na admissão >60 mmHg identificou doentes com HPTEC no seguimento com valor de sensibilidade e especificidade de 83,3% e 76,3%, respetivamente. Todos os doentes diagnosticados com HPTEC tiveram pelo menos dois achados radiológicos sugestivos de HPTEC no evento índice.
Na nossa coorte, a prevalência de HPTEC nos sobreviventes de formas graves de EP aguda foi de 6,2%. Uma pressão arterial pulmonar sistólica acima de 60 mmHg e achados radiológicos de suporte na tomografia computadorizada do evento índice são altamente sugestivos da presença de HPTEC preexistente no momento do diagnóstico de EP aguda.
Pulmonary Hypertension in Pulmonary Embolism
2023, American Journal of CardiologyFrontal QRS - T angle is associated with severity and prognosis of acute pulmonary embolism
2023, Journal of ElectrocardiologyThe pathological effects of acute pulmonary embolism (APE) on the right ventricle are one of the most important determinants of mortality in patients with APE. Frontal QRS-T angle (fQRSTa) predicts ventricular pathology and poor prognosis in many different cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we investigated whether there is a significant relationship between fQRSTa and APE severity.
A total of 309 patients were included in this retrospective study. The severity of APE was classified as massive (high risk), submassive (intermediate risk), or nonmassive (low risk). fQRSTa calculated from standard ECGs.
fQRSTa was significantly higher in massive APE patients (p < 0.001). fQRSTa was also found to be significantly higher in the in-hospital mortality group (p < 0.001). fQRSTa was an independent risk factor for the development of massive APE (odds ratio:1.033; 95% CI: 1.012–1.052; p < 0.001).
Our study showed that increased fQRSTa predicts high-risk APE patients and mortality in APE patients.
Frequency and predictors for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after a first unprovoked pulmonary embolism: Results from PADIS studies
2022, Journal of Thrombosis and HaemostasisChronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a life‐threatening complication of a pulmonary embolism (PE) whose incidence and predictors are not precisely determined.
To determine the frequency and predictors for CTEPH after a first unprovoked PE.
In a randomized trial comparing an additional 18‐month warfarin versus placebo in patients after a first unprovoked PE initially treated with vitamin K antagonist for 6 months, we applied recommended CTEPH screening strategies through an 8‐year follow‐up to determine cumulative incidence of CTEPH. CTEPH predictors were estimated using Cox models. Pulmonary vascular obstruction (PVO) and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) at PE diagnosis and 6 months were studied by receiver operating curves analysis. All CTEPH cases and whether they were incident or prevalent were adjudicated.
During a median follow‐up of 8.7 years, nine CTEPH cases were diagnosed among 371 patients, with a cumulative incidence of 2.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95–4.64), and of 1.31% (95% CI 0.01–2.60) after exclusion of five cases adjudicated as prevalent. At PE diagnosis, PVO > 45% and sPAP > 56 mmHg were associated with CTEPH with a hazard ratio (HR) of 33.00 (95% CI 1.64–667.00, p = .02) and 12.50 (95% CI 2.10–74.80, p < .01), respectively. Age > 65 years, lupus anticoagulant antibodies and non‐O blood groups were also predictive of CTEPH. PVO > 14% and sPAP > 34 mmHg at 6 months were associated with CTEPH (HR 63.90 [95% CI 3.11–1310.00, p < .01]and HR 17.2 [95% CI 2.75–108, p < .01]).
After a first unprovoked PE, CTEPH cumulative incidence was 2.8% during an 8‐year follow‐up. PVO and sPAP at PE diagnosis and at 6 months were the main predictors for CTEPH diagnosis.