Diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism and evolving imaging modalities

ESC CardioMed ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 2761-2766
Author(s):  
Helia Robert-Ebadi ◽  
Grégoire Le Gal ◽  
Marc Righini
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Thoracic Imaging ◽  
Diagnostic Strategies ◽  
Computed Tomographic ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Clinical Probability ◽  
Venous Compression ◽  
Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Deep Vein

Modern non-invasive diagnostic strategies for pulmonary embolism rely on the sequential use of clinical probability assessment, D-dimer measurement, and thoracic imaging tests. Planar ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy was the cornerstone test for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism for more than two decades and has now been replaced by computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Diagnostic strategies using CTPA are very safe to rule out pulmonary embolism and have been well validated in large prospective management outcome studies. Venous compression ultrasonography is the cornerstone test to diagnose deep vein thrombosis but is not mandatory for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism when using multidetector CTPA.

Diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism and evolving imaging modalities

ESC CardioMed ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 2761-2766
Author(s):  
Helia Robert-Ebadi ◽  
Grégoire Le Gal ◽  
Marc Righini
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Thoracic Imaging ◽  
Diagnostic Strategies ◽  
Computed Tomographic ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Clinical Probability ◽  
Venous Compression ◽  
Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Deep Vein

Modern non-invasive diagnostic strategies for pulmonary embolism rely on the sequential use of clinical probability assessment, D-dimer measurement, and thoracic imaging tests. Planar ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy was the cornerstone test for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism for more than two decades and has now been replaced by computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Diagnostic strategies using CTPA are very safe to rule out pulmonary embolism and have been well validated in large prospective management outcome studies. Venous compression ultrasonography is the cornerstone test to diagnose deep vein thrombosis but is not mandatory for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism when using multidetector CTPA.

Diagnostic performance of complete lower limb venous ultrasound in patients with clinically suspected acute pulmonary embolism

2004 ◽  
Vol 91 (01) ◽  
pp. 187-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Colombier ◽  
Gérard Victor ◽  
Marie Elias ◽  
Catherine Arnaud ◽  
Henri Juchet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Acute Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Helical Computed Tomography ◽  
Diagnostic Strategies ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Clinical Probability ◽  
Deep Vein

SummaryA limited ultrasound (US) confined to the popliteal and femoral veins is usually performed to detect deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with clinically suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Our objective was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of complete lower limb US examining both the proximal and distal veins in this setting. In this prospective study, 210 consecutive patients were included. Complete US was performed by independent operators and compared blindly with a reference strategy combining clinical probability, ventilation perfusion scan and pulmonary angiography to a three-month clinical follow-up. Simultaneously,VIDAS D-dimer (DD) assay and helical computed tomography (HCT) of the lungs were assessed independently and blindly. PE was present in 74 patients (35%). Complete US detected DVT in 91 patients (43%), proximal in 51 and distal in 40. Sensitivity and specificity with a 0.95 confidence interval were respectively 0.93 [0.85 – 0.97] and 0.84 [0.77 – 0.89]. Limited US detected DVT in only 46 patients (22%). Sensitivity and specificity were respectively 0.55 [0.44 – 0.66] and 0.96 [0.92 – 0.98]. For DD they were 0.92 [0.83 – 0.96] and 0.24 [0.17 – 0.32] and for HCT 0.84 [0.73 – 0.90] and 0.87 [0.80 – 0.92]. Complete lower limb US has higher sensitivity and capacity to exclude PE than limited US, but a slightly lower specificity. Complete US results also compared favourably with those of HCT and DD.The utility of including this method in diagnostic strategies for PE needs to be assessed in cost-effectiveness analysis and in outcome studies.

scholarly journals A comparative analysis of the diagnostic performances of four clinical probability models to rule out pulmonary embolism

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
BV Silva ◽  
C Mendonca ◽  
P Silverio Antonio ◽  
A Ferreira ◽  
N Cunha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Probability Models ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Clinical Probability ◽  
Low Probability ◽  
Deep Vein ◽  
Rule Out ◽  
Funding Acknowledgements

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background  Ruling out pulmonary embolism (PE) through a combination of clinical assessment and Ddimer is crucial to avoid excessive computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), and different algorithms should be considered as an alternative to the fixed cutoff to achieve that goal. Purpose  To compare diagnostic performance of 4 algorithms to rule out PE: fixed Ddimer cutoff, age-adjusted, YEARS and PEGeD. Methods  Retrospective study of consecutive outpatients who presented to the emergency department and underwent CTPA for PE suspicion from April 2019 to May 2020. In fixed and age-adjusted cut-off, high probability patients are directly selected for CTPA. Low to moderate probability patients perform CTPA if Ddimer ≥500µg/L in fixed cutoff, and in age-adjusted cutoff if Ddimer ≥500µg/L in patients who are ≤ 50 years of age, and if Ddimer level was more than 10 times the patient’s age in patients older than 50 years. YEARS includes 3 items (signs of deep vein thrombosis, haemoptysis and whether PE is the most likely diagnosis): patients without any YEARS items and Ddimer ≥1000ng/mL or with ≥1 items and Ddimer 500ng/mL perform CTPA. In the PEGeD, patients with high clinical probability or with intermediate and Ddimers >500µg/L or low probability and Ddimer >1000 µg/L are selected for CTPA. Results We enrolled 571 patients and PE was confirmed by CTPA in 172. Compared with a fixed Ddimer cutoff, age-adjusted was associated with a significant increase of specificity (p < 0.001), correctly avoiding 38 CTPAs, without losing sensitivity. YEARS and PEGED resulted in a increase in specificity, compared to the fixed cutoff, but with an impairment of sensitivity (p < 0.001). PEGeD had the worst sensitivity (13 more false negatives (FN) than the fixed cutoff). Despite the lack of difference between PEGed and YEARS strategies regarding sensitivity, PEGED had a significantly higher specificity (p < 0.001) and allowed to correctly avoid a higher number of CTPA (95 vs 85), compared to the fixed cutoff. Conclusion  Compared to fixed d-dimer cutoff, all algorithms were associated with an increased specificity. Age-adjusted cutoff was the only that is not associated with a significant decrease in sensitivity when compared to fixed cutoff, allowing to safely reduce the need to perform CTPA. Sen(%)Spec(%)Correctly avoid CTPAs(n)FN(n)Fixed cutoff251017Age-adjusted933513912YEARS894718619PEGED884919620

Venous thromboembolism diagnosis: unresolved issues

2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (06) ◽  
pp. 1184-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grégoire Le Gal ◽  
Henri Bounameaux ◽  
Marc Righini
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Diagnostic Strategies ◽  
Diagnostic Algorithms ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Compression Ultrasound ◽  
Effective Diagnosis ◽  
Deep Vein ◽  
Management Algorithms

SummaryRecent advances in the management of patients with suspected VTE have both improved diagnostic accuracy and made management algorithms safer, easier to use and well standardised. These diagnostic algorithms are mainly based on the assessment of clinical pretest probability, D-dimer measurement and imaging tests, mainly represented by compression ultrasound (CUS) for suspected DVT and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or lung ventilationperfusion scan for pulmonary embolism. These diagnostic algorithms allow a safe and cost-effective diagnosis for most patients with suspected VTE. In this review, we focus on the challenge of diagnosing VTE in special patient populations, such as elderly patients, pregnant women, or patients with a prior VTE. Some additional challenges are arising that might require adjustments to current diagnostic strategies, such as the reduced clinical suspicion threshold, resulting in a lower proportion of VTE among suspected patients; the overdiagnosis and overtreatment of VTE, especially regarding calf deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and subsegmental pulmonary embolism (SSPE).

scholarly journals Is computed tomographic pulmonary angiography justified in all patients with suspected pulmonary embolism – tertiary multidisciplinary hospital perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Morawiec ◽  
O Brycht ◽  
M Nadel ◽  
J Drozdz
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Creatinine Level ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Hospital Death ◽  
Contrast Induced Nephropathy ◽  
Computed Tomographic ◽  
Level Increase ◽  
Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Egfr Decline

Abstract Background According to 2019 ESC guidelines for management in patients with the pulmonary embolism (PE), the computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is the diagnostic method of choice in suspected high-risk PE defined as patients with hemodynamic instability. In stable cases, it is recommended to assess the pre-test probability of the PE. However, CTPA with its great accuracy and wide availability in most medical centers is used as often to confirm as to exclude the diagnosis in PE suspected patients, despite the fact that it is linked with the risk of radiation and iodine-containing contrast exposure. Purpose The aim of the study was to assess the validity of CTPA use in patients with suspected PE form the perspective of multidisciplinary clinical center. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of from 52,474 hospitalized patients between 01.2018 and 12.2019. A total of 261 (0.5%) consecutive patients with suspected PE (in the emergency department or during hospitalization) were included into the study. Due to suspicion of PE all patients underwent the CTPA. In this group, we analyzed all available clinical data, results of laboratory and diagnostic tests (before and after CTPA) including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), creatinine level, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and planar ventilation/perfusion (lung scintigraphy) scan (V/Q SPECT) if performed. Results The CTPA confirmed PE in 28.9% of patients. The most common final diagnoses, established in the group with negative CTPA result, include heart failure (33.9%), pneumonia (14.4%) exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma (9.3%) and acute coronary syndrome (5.9%). Acute PE was the cause of in-hospital death in 2.4% of patients and the rate of all cause in-hospital death was 11.4%. In 54.2% of patients we observed the eGFR decline and creatinine level increase, meeting the criteria of the acute contrast-induced nephropathy in 33 of them of them (19.8%). In the group with excluded PE, mean eGFR before CTPA was 70.9ml/min/1.73m2 with the decline to mean 60.4ml/min/1.73m2 during the hospitalization (p<0.01). In patients with negative CTPA result and the worsening of the renal function mean eGFR decline was 17.8ml/min/1.73m2 (p<0.01) and mean creatinine level increase was 38.6μmol/l (p<0.01). CONSLUSIONS The initial data collected show the overuse of CTPA in suspected PE, as the diagnosis was confirmed in less than one-third of them. Although CTPA allows to exclude or confirm PE unambiguously, its use is associated with risk of acute contrast-induced nephropathy. Additionally, in patients with exacerbation of heart failure established as final diagnosis after excluding PE, intensive diuretic treatment is crucial and may cause further accompanying renal function worsening. Therefore, optimizing the diagnostic pathway in patients with suspected PE into less aggravating procedures such as TTE or V/Q SPECT is justifiable. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Integrierte Diagnostik bei Verdacht auf tiefe Venenthromben und Lungenembolie

VASA ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bounameaux
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Venous Compression ◽  
Lung Scan ◽  
Deep Vein ◽  
Compression Ultrasonography

Diagnosing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism has become definitely easier and more reliable over the past fifteen years, especially thanks the development of lower limbs venous compression ultrasonography and fibrin D-Dimer measurement. These tests allowed reducing the requirement for venography and pulmonary angiography to a small minority of patients. Simultaneously, ventilation/perfusion lung scan criteria have been standardized, and the performance of spiral computed tomography has been analyzed in an appropriate way. New sequential, mainly noninvasive strategies could be developed that proved to be safe in large-scale prospective cohort studies with prolonged follow-up. They should now be implemented in daily practice according to cost-effectiveness analyses as well as local facilities and expertise.

scholarly journals Symptomatic subsegmental pulmonary embolism: to treat or not to treat?

Hematology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (1) ◽  
pp. 237-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Carrier ◽  
Fredrikus A. Klok
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Anticoagulation Therapy ◽  
Pulmonary Arteries ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Significant Rise ◽  
Computed Tomographic ◽  
Individualized Approach ◽  
Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiography

Abstract The introduction of computed tomographic pulmonary angiography and its recent increasing availability has led to a significant rise in its use to help clinicians diagnose acute pulmonary embolism (PE). This has led to a significant increase in the incidence of PE diagnoses. Simultaneously, the case fatality rate of acute PE has been decreasing and no significant change in its mortality has been noted, suggesting that the additional PE diagnoses are less severe and these patients might not benefit from anticoagulation therapy. This also seems to be correlated with an increase in the diagnosis of PE localized in the subsegmental pulmonary arteries (subsegmental pulmonary embolism [SSPE]). The clinical importance of SSPE is unclear. Whereas some studies have shown that it might be reasonable to manage patients with SSPE without anticoagulation, others have not. Although the current medical literature is limited, it suggests that a subgroup of patients with SSPE might be safely managed without the use of anticoagulant therapy. Current clinical practice guidelines suggest that clinicians take an individualized approach after carefully assessing the risk/benefit ratio for patients with SSPE and negative leg limb ultrasonography results. Prospective studies are ongoing and results are eagerly awaited to help tailor the management of this patient population.

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