Abstract
Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.
BACKGROUND
Intermediate-high risk (IHR) Pulmonary Embolism (PE) are a common disease witch could have a high mortality. Anticoagulation remains the first therapeutic option, but Catheter-directed therapies are being investigated as a safe and effective treatment option.
PURPOSE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Catheter-directed low-dose fibrinolysis infusion to treat IHR-PE.
METHODS
Retrospective analysis of 16 patients IHR-PE treated. After performing Right catheterization (RC) and angiogram, Pigtail catheters were located for intrapulmonary infusion of Alteplase 1mg/h/catheter for 24 h (25-30mg/day). Baseline and clinical characteristics, inicial and evolutive echocardiography, also clinical evaluation and echocardiography 6 months after discharge were evaluated.
RESULTS
The majority were women (11) and obese (93.8%), aged 22-74 years with cardiovascular risk factors: 5 hypertension, 3 Dyslipidemia, 2 smokers and 3 severe CKD . At admission 11 patients consulted for dyspnea and 5 for syncope; all were hemodynamic stable. 68.8% presented respiratory failure. All had bilateral PE (angiography) and elevation of Nt-proBNP and troponins. The echocardiographic at admission, and its evolution are shown in Table 1. The invasive measurement of pulmonary hypertension (PH) reflected greater severity than the estimated by echo: 5 (31.3%) Severe PH, 5 (31.3%) Moderate PH and 2 (12.5%) mild PH.
At discharge all presented a decrease in PH and 15 (93.8%) improved RV function. 2 patients suffered bleeding complications (relation with femoral access): 1 not severe, 1 severe without mortality; none suffered intracranial hemorrhage.
In the evaluation at 6-months: 13 patients (81.3%) where on functional Class I and without PH, 3 patients (18.8%) where in Class II and with mild-PH.
CONCLUSION
In short-term follow-up, intrapulmonary low-dose fibrinolysis reduces PA pressures and improves RV function, without an increased bleeding complications, especially if femoral access is avoided. However impact on long-term remains unclear. Table 1: Echocardiography evolution.RV function admissionNormal Function1 (6.3%)Mild Dysfunction9 (56.3%)Moderate Dysfunction6 (37.5%)RV Dilatation admissionDilatation 16 (100%)Not dilatation 0 (0%)PH Degree admissionMild PH6 (37.5%)Moderate PH5 (31.3%)Severe PH5 (31.3%)PH Degree 24h-postNot PH1 (6.3%)Mild PH10 (62.5%)Moderate/severe PH5 (31.3%)Improvement RV 24h-postYes14 (87.5%)Not2 (12.5%)RV function dischargeNormal Function16 (100%)Mild Dysfunction0 (0%)Moderate Dysfunction0 (0%)RV Dilatation dischargeDilatation 5 (31.3%)Not dilatation 11 (68.8%)PH Degree dischargeNot PH 9 (56.3%)Mild PH7 (43.8%)Moderate/severe PH0 (0%)RV Right Ventricular; PH: Pulmonary Hypertension,