Aggressive Therapy for Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Systemic Thrombolysis and Catheter-Directed Approaches

Author(s):  
Thomas M. Todoran ◽  
Bradley Petkovich

AbstractVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third most common cause of cardiovascular disease after myocardial infarction and stroke. Population-based studies estimate that up to 94,000 new cases of pulmonary embolism (PE) occur in the United States annually with an increasing incidence with age. Mortality from PE is the greatest in the first 24 hours, with a decreased survival extending out 3 months. Thus, acute PE is a potentially fatal illness if not recognized and treated in a timely manner. Contemporary management includes systemic anticoagulation, thrombolysis, catheter-based procedures, and surgical embolectomy. This article reviews current clinical evidence and societal guidelines for the use of systemic and catheter-directed thrombolysis for treatment of acute PE.

2020 ◽  
pp. 1358863X2096741
Author(s):  
Matthew C Bunte ◽  
Kensey Gosch ◽  
Ahmed Elkaryoni ◽  
Anas Noman ◽  
Erin Johnson ◽  
...  

Limited data exist that comprehensively describe the practical management, in-hospital outcomes, healthcare resource utilization, and rates of post-hospital readmission among patients with submassive and massive pulmonary embolism (PE). Consecutive discharges for acute PE were identified from a single health system over 3 years. Records were audited to confirm presence of acute PE, patient characteristics, disease severity, medical treatment, and PE-related invasive therapies. Rates of in-hospital major bleeding and death, hospital length of stay (LOS), direct costs, and hospital readmission are reported. From January 2016 to December 2018, 371 patients were hospitalized for acute massive or submassive PE. In-hospital major bleeding (12.1%) was common, despite low utilization of systemic thrombolysis (1.8%) or catheter-directed thrombolysis (3.0%). In-hospital death was 10-fold higher among massive PE compared to submassive PE (36.6% vs 3.3%, p < 0.001). Massive PE was more common during hospitalizations not primarily related to venous thromboembolism, including hospitalizations primarily for sepsis or infection (26.8% vs 8.2%, p = 0.001). Overall, the median LOS was 6.0 days (IQR, 3.0–11.0) and the median standardized direct cost of admissions was $10,032 (IQR, $4467–$20,330). Rates of all-cause readmission were relatively high throughout late follow-up but did not differ between PE subgroups. Despite low utilization of thrombolysis, in-hospital bleeding remains a common adverse event during hospitalizations for acute PE. Although massive PE is associated with high risk for in-hospital bleeding and death, those successfully discharged after a massive PE demonstrate similar rates of readmission compared to submassive PE into late follow-up.


2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (8) ◽  
pp. 1376-1380

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition. In patient who has contraindication for systemic thrombolysis and inappropriate for surgical embolectomy, there is a role of catheter interventions. However, the data are limited. The aim of the present report was to assess a role of intrapulmonary artery thrombolysis bolus in acute PE. A retrospective review of the use of intrapulmonary artery thrombolysis in acute PE. The data were collected from 14 patients with massive or submassive PE who had contraindication or inappropriate for systemic thrombolysis and unsuitable for surgical embolectomy. After intrapulmonary thrombolysis was given, patients were followed clinically and hemodynamically until discharged and after 1 month. Pulmonary pressure was collected at pre and post intervention. Of the 14 patients (age 59±19 years, 78.6% female), 86% were diagnosed as submassive PE. Mean dose of tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) was 28±14 mg given as bolus and continuous infusion (19±10 hours). One patient died after completion of intrapulmonary infusion rt-PA at day 90, which did not relate to PE and the treatment. After intervention, mean PA pressure was significantly reduced from 32.3±6.0 to 21.0±4.3 mmHg (p<0.001). Three patients (21%) had minor bleeding (hematoma at access site). The present case series showed that intrapulmonary infusion of rt-PA was effective and safe in patient with massive and submassive PE who had contraindication or inappropriate to systemic thrombolysis or inoperable surgical thrombectomy. Keywords: Acute pulmonary embolism; Intrapulmonary thrombolysis; Tissue plasminogen activator; Surgical thrombectomy


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-42
Author(s):  
Balázs Bajka ◽  
Edvin Benedek ◽  
Alexandra Stănescu ◽  
Emese Rapolti ◽  
Monica Chițu ◽  
...  

Abstract Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a common and potentially life-threatening cardiovascular emergency. Systemic thrombolysis with intravenous infusion of a thrombolytic agent is generally recommended for treatment of high risk PE. However, this method has known limitations in the presence of high bleeding risk. Catheter-directed thrombolysis has the potential to achieve the same benefits as systemic thrombolysis, with a lower risk of haemorrhage. The case presented is of a 67-year-old male patient with a high risk of pulmonary embolism and contraindications for systemic thrombolysis, in whom the presence of severe comorbidities presented an increased risk of surgical embolectomy, who was successfully treated by catheter-directed thrombolysis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_I) ◽  
pp. I23-I30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romain Chopard ◽  
Fiona Ecarnot ◽  
Nicolas Meneveau

Abstract Systemic thrombolysis for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) reduces the risk of death and cardiovascular collapse but is associated with an increased rate of bleeding. The desire to minimize the risk of bleeding events has driven the development of catheter-based strategies for pulmonary reperfusion in PE. These catheter-based strategies utilize lower-dose fibrinolytic regimens or purely mechanical techniques to expedite removal of the embolus. Several devices providing mechanical or suction embolectomy and catheter-directed thrombolysis, with or without facilitation by ultrasound, have been tested. Data are inconsistent regarding the efficacy and safety of mechanical and suction embolectomy. The most comprehensive data on catheter-based techniques stem from trials of ultrasound-facilitated catheter fibrinolysis. Ultrasound-facilitated catheter fibrinolysis relieves right ventricular pressure overload with a lower risk of major bleeding and intracranial haemorrhage than historical rates with systemic fibrinolysis. However, further research is required to determine the optimal application of ultrasound-facilitated catheter fibrinolysis and other catheter-based therapies in patients with acute PE.


2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (02) ◽  
pp. 122-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Chiarello ◽  
Akhilesh Sista

AbstractAcute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. PE associated with right ventricular strain, termed submassive or intermediate-risk PE, is associated with an increased rate of clinical deterioration and short-term mortality. Trials have demonstrated systemic thrombolytics may improve patient outcomes, but they carry a risk of major hemorrhage. Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) may offer similar efficacy to and a lower risk of catastrophic hemorrhage than systemic thrombolysis. Three prospective trials have evaluated CDT for submassive PE; ULTIMA, SEATTLE II, and PERFECT. These trials provide evidence that CDT may improve radiographic efficacy endpoints in submassive PE with acceptable rates of major hemorrhage. However, the lack of clinical endpoints, long-term follow-up, and adequate sample size limit their generalizability. Future trials should be adequately powered and controlled so that the short- and long-term effectiveness and safety of CDT can be definitively determined.


Author(s):  
Daniel Haines ◽  
Joel Grigsby

This chapter assesses pulmonary embolism (PE), which is an obstruction of the pulmonary circulation by an occlusive material. The material may be thrombus, air, tumor, or fat. PE are classified as acute, subacute, or chronic; but they can be further classified into massive and submassive. Submassive PE is defined as an acute PE without systemic hypotension but with either right ventricular dysfunction or myocardial necrosis, while massive PE is defined as an acute PE with sustained shock. There are several strategies for treating PE depending on the stability of the patient and the location of the clot. Systemic thrombolysis, catheter-directed thrombolysis, and catheter-directed clot removal are all treatment options, if there are no contraindications. Bleeding risk is the largest contraindication for thrombolytic therapy. Meanwhile, surgical embolectomy is warranted for hemodynamically unstable patients as well as patients with contraindications to or who failed thrombolytic therapy and catheter-based approaches. Right ventricular failure is a serious complication following pulmonary embolectomy and is managed by a compilation of volume removal, inotropic support, pulmonary vasodilation, and mechanical support, if needed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (9_suppl) ◽  
pp. 48S-55S ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateo Porres–Aguilar ◽  
Javier E. Anaya-Ayala ◽  
Gustavo A. Heresi ◽  
Belinda N. Rivera-Lebron

Pulmonary embolism represents the third most common cause of cardiovascular death in the United States. Reperfusion therapeutic strategies such as systemic thrombolysis, catheter directed therapies, surgical pulmonary embolectomy, and cardiopulmonary support devices are currently available for patients with high- and intermediate-high–risk pulmonary embolism. However, deciding on optimal therapy may be challenging. Pulmonary embolism response teams have been designed to facilitate multidisciplinary decision-making with the goal to improve quality of care for complex cases with pulmonary embolism. Herein, we discuss the current role and strategies on how to leverage the strengths from pulmonary embolism response teams, its possible worldwide adoption, and implementation to improve survival and change the paradigm in the care of a potentially deadly disease.


2017 ◽  
Vol 69 (11) ◽  
pp. 1879
Author(s):  
Srinath Adusumalli ◽  
Bram Geller ◽  
Lin Yang ◽  
Jay Giri ◽  
Peter Groeneveld ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prasoon P. Mohan ◽  
John J. Manov ◽  
Francisco Contreras ◽  
Michael E. Langston ◽  
Mehul H. Doshi ◽  
...  

Purpose: Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) is a relatively new therapy for pulmonary embolism that achieves the superior clot resolution compared to systemic thrombolysis while avoiding the high bleeding risk intrinsically associated with that therapy. In order to examine the efficacy and safety of CDT, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing ultrasound-assisted CDT at our institution. Methods: The charts of 30 consecutive patients who underwent CDT as a treatment of pulmonary embolism at our institution were reviewed. Risk factors for bleeding during thrombolysis were noted. Indicators of the right heart strain on computed tomography and echocardiogram, as well as the degree of pulmonary vascular obstruction, were recorded before and after CDT. Thirty-day mortality and occurrence of bleeding events were recorded. Results: Nine (30%) patients had 3 or more minor contraindications to thrombolysis and 14 (47%) had major surgery in the month prior to CDT. Right ventricular systolic pressure and vascular obstruction decreased significantly after CDT. There was a significant decrease in the proportion of patients with right ventricular dilation or hypokinesis. Decrease in pulmonary vascular obstruction was associated with nadir of fibrinogen level. No patients experienced major or moderate bleeding attributed to CDT. Conclusion: Catheter-directed thrombolysis is an effective therapy in rapidly alleviating the right heart strain that is associated with increased mortality and long-term morbidity in patients with pulmonary embolism with minimal bleeding risk. Catheter-directed thrombolysis is a safe alternative to systemic thrombolysis in patients with risk factors for bleeding such as prior surgery. Future studies should examine the safety of CDT in patients with contraindications to systemic thrombolysis.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document