scholarly journals The Determinants of Productivity in Medical Testing: Intensity and Allocation of Care

2016 ◽  
Vol 106 (12) ◽  
pp. 3730-3764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Abaluck ◽  
Leila Agha ◽  
Chris Kabrhel ◽  
Ali Raja ◽  
Arjun Venkatesh
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Patient Population ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Expected Returns ◽  
Medical Testing ◽  
Fixed Level ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Negative Imaging

A large body of research has investigated whether physicians overuse care. There is less evidence on whether, for a fixed level of spending, doctors allocate resources to patients with the highest expected returns. We assess both sources of inefficiency, exploiting variation in rates of negative imaging tests for pulmonary embolism. We document enormous across-doctor heterogeneity in testing conditional on patient population, which explains the negative relationship between physicians' testing rates and test yields. Furthermore, doctors do not target testing to the highest risk patients, reducing test yields by one-third. Our calibration suggests misallocation is more costly than overuse. (JEL I11, I13, I18)

Pulmonary emboli due to venous aneurysm of extremities

VASA ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielli ◽  
Rosati ◽  
Vitale ◽  
Millarelli ◽  
Siani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Surgical Resection ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Acute Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Prophylactic Surgery ◽  
Venous Aneurysm ◽  
Pulmonary Emboli ◽  
Thromboembolic Events ◽  
Thromboembolic Complications ◽  
Risk Patients

Venous aneurysms are uncommon but they can have devastating consequences, including pulmonary embolism, other thromboembolic events and death. We report six cases of venous aneurysm of the extremities, in which the first sign of presence was acute pulmonary embolism. Surgical resection is recommended whenever possible. Our experience suggests that prophylactic surgery is cautiously recommended for low-risk patients with venous aneurysms of the abdomen and strongly recommended for extremity deep and superficial venous aneurysms for their potential risk of developing thromboembolic complications despite adequate anticoagulation. Other venous aneurysms should be excised only if they are symptomatic or enlarging.

The Role of a Decision Rule in Symptomatic Pulmonary Embolism Patients with a Non-high Probability Ventilation-perfusion Scan

1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (02) ◽  
pp. 794-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bowine C Michel ◽  
Philomeen M M Kuijer ◽  
Joseph McDonnell ◽  
Edwin J R van Beek ◽  
Frans F H Rutten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Decision Rule ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Patient Population ◽  
High Probability ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Stepwise Logistic Regression ◽  
Pulmonary Angiogram ◽  
Symptomatic Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Perfusion Scan

Summary Background: In order to improve the use of information contained in the medical history and physical examination in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism and a non-high probability ventilation-perfusion scan, we assessed whether a simple, quantitative decision rule could be derived for the diagnosis or exclusion of pulmonary embolism. Methods: In 140 consecutive symptomatic patients with a non- high probability ventilation-perfusion scan and an interpretable pulmonary angiogram, various clinical and lung scan items were collected prospectively and analyzed by multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis to identify the most informative combination of items. Results: The prevalence of proven pulmonary embolism in the patient population was 27.1%. A decision rule containing the presence of wheezing, previous deep venous thrombosis, recently developed or worsened cough, body temperature above 37° C and multiple defects on the perfusion scan was constructed. For the rule the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was larger than that of the prior probability of pulmonary embolism as assessed by the physician at presentation (0.76 versus 0.59; p = 0.0097). At the cut-off point with the maximal positive predictive value 2% of the patients scored positive, at the cut-off point with the maximal negative predictive value pulmonary embolism could be excluded in 16% of the patients. Conclusions: We derived a simple decision rule containing 5 easily interpretable variables for the patient population specified. The optimal use of the rule appears to be in the exclusion of pulmonary embolism. Prospective validation of this rule is indicated to confirm its clinical utility.

Advanced Management Options for Massive and Submassive Pulmonary Embolism

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonika Malik ◽  
◽  
Anju Bhardwaj ◽  
Matthew Eisen ◽  
Sanjay Gandhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Vena Cava ◽  
Right Ventricular Dysfunction ◽  
Hemodynamic Instability ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Intermediate Risk ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Vena Cava Filters ◽  
Submassive Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Risk Patients

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality and presents with significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Clinical presentation ranges from mild, nonspecific symptoms to syncope, shock, and sudden death. Patients with hemodynamic instability and/ or signs of right ventricular dysfunction are at high risk for adverse outcomes and may benefit from aggressive therapy and support. Therapeutic anticoagulation is indicated in all patients in the absence of contraindications. Thrombolysis should be strongly considered in selected high- and intermediate-risk patients, either by systemic infusion or percutaneous catheter-directed therapy. Other therapeutic modalities, such as vena cava filters and surgical embolectomy, are options for patients who fail or cannot tolerate anticoagulation and/or thrombolysis. This article reviews the assessment and advanced management options for acute PE with focus on high- and intermediate-risk patients.

Evidence for Age-Adjusted D-Dimer to Rule out Pulmonary Embolism: An Institutional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 154 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S5-S5
Author(s):  
Ridin Balakrishnan ◽  
Daniel Casa ◽  
Morayma Reyes Gil
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
False Positive ◽  
False Positive Rate ◽  
Moderate Risk ◽  
Older Population ◽  
Statistical Measures ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
D Dimer ◽  
Rule Out

Abstract The diagnostic approach for ruling out suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in the ED setting includes several tests: ultrasound, plasma d-dimer assays, ventilation-perfusion scans and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Importantly, a pretest probability scoring algorithm is highly recommended to triage high risk cases while also preventing unnecessary testing and harm to low/moderate risk patients. The d-dimer assay (both ELISA and immunoturbidometric) has been shown to be extremely sensitive to rule out PE in conjunction with clinical probability. In particularly, d-dimer testing is recommended for low/moderate risk patients, in whom a negative d-dimer essentially rules out PE sparing these patients from CTPA radiation exposure, longer hospital stay and anticoagulation. However, an unspecific increase in fibrin-degradation related products has been seen with increase in age, resulting in higher false positive rate in the older population. This study analyzed patient visits to the ED of a large academic institution for five years and looked at the relationship between d-dimer values, age and CTPA results to better understand the value of age-adjusted d-dimer cut-offs in ruling out PE in the older population. A total of 7660 ED visits had a CTPA done to rule out PE; out of which 1875 cases had a d-dimer done in conjunction with the CT and 5875 had only CTPA done. Out of the 1875 cases, 1591 had positive d-dimer results (>0.50 µg/ml (FEU)), of which 910 (57%) were from patients older than or equal to fifty years of age. In these older patients, 779 (86%) had a negative CT result. The following were the statistical measures of the d-dimer test before adjusting for age: sensitivity (98%), specificity (12%); negative predictive value (98%) and false positive rate (88%). After adjusting for age in people older than 50 years (d-dimer cut off = age/100), 138 patients eventually turned out to be d-dimer negative and every case but four had a CT result that was also negative for a PE. The four cases included two non-diagnostic results and two with subacute/chronic/subsegmental PE on imaging. None of these four patients were prescribed anticoagulation. The statistical measures of the d-dimer test after adjusting for age showed: sensitivity (96%), specificity (20%); negative predictive value (98%) and a decrease in the false positive rate (80%). Therefore, imaging could have been potentially avoided in 138/779 (18%) of the patients who were part of this older population and had eventual negative or not clinically significant findings on CTPA if age-adjusted d-dimers were used. This data very strongly advocates for the clinical usefulness of an age-adjusted cut-off of d-dimer to rule out PE.

Right Atrial Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism: A Narrative Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (08) ◽  
pp. 895-907
Author(s):  
Nina D. Anfinogenova ◽  
Oksana Y. Vasiltseva ◽  
Alexander V. Vrublevsky ◽  
Irina N. Vorozhtsova ◽  
Sergey V. Popov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Transesophageal Echocardiography ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Right Atrial ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
High Risk Patients ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
The Right

AbstractPrompt diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) remains challenging, which often results in a delayed or inappropriate treatment of this life-threatening condition. Mobile thrombus in the right cardiac chambers is a neglected cause of PE. It poses an immediate risk to life and is associated with an unfavorable outcome and high mortality. Thrombus residing in the right atrial appendage (RAA) is an underestimated cause of PE, especially in patients with atrial fibrillation. This article reviews achievements and challenges of detection and management of the right atrial thrombus with emphasis on RAA thrombus. The capabilities of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography and advantages of three-dimensional and two-dimensional echocardiography are reviewed. Strengths of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), computed tomography, and cardiac ventriculography are summarized. We suggest that a targeted search for RAA thrombus is necessary in high-risk patients with PE and atrial fibrillation using transesophageal echocardiography and/or CMR when available independently on the duration of the disease. High-risk patients may also benefit from transthoracic echocardiography with right parasternal approach. The examination of high-risk patients should involve compression ultrasonography of lower extremity veins along with the above-mentioned technologies. Algorithms for RAA thrombus risk assessment and protocols aimed at identification of patients with RAA thrombosis, who will potentially benefit from treatment, are warranted. The development of treatment protocols specific for the diverse populations of patients with right cardiac thrombosis is important.

scholarly journals Anticoagulant therapies for acute venous thromboembolism: a comparison between those discharged directly from the emergency department versus hospital in two Canadian cities

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e022063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tammy J Bungard ◽  
Bruce Ritchie ◽  
Jennifer Bolt ◽  
William M Semchuk
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Acute Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Record Review ◽  
Deep Vein

ObjectiveTo compare the characteristics/management of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) for patients either discharged directly from the emergency department (ED) or hospitalised throughout a year within two urban cities in Canada.DesignRetrospective medical record review.SettingHospitals in Edmonton, Alberta (n=4) and Regina, Saskatchewan (n=2) from April 2014 to March 2015.ParticipantsAll patients discharged from the ED or hospital with acute deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (PE). Those having another indication for anticoagulant therapy, pregnant/breast feeding or anticipated lifespan <3 months were excluded.Primary and secondary outcomesPrimarily, to compare proportion of patients receiving traditional therapy (parenteral anticoagulant±warfarin) relative to a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) between the two cohorts. Secondarily, to assess differences with therapy selected based on clot burden and follow-up plans postdischarge.Results387 (25.2%) and 665 (72.5%) patients from the ED and hospital cohorts, respectively, were included. Compared with the ED cohort, those hospitalised were older (57.3 and 64.5 years; p<0.0001), more likely to have PE (35.7% vs 83.8%) with a simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI) ≥1 (31.2% vs 65.2%), cancer (14.7% and 22.3%; p=0.003) and pulmonary disease (10.1% and 20.6%; p<0.0001). For the ED and hospital cohorts, similar proportions of patients were prescribed traditional therapies (72.6% and 71.1%) and a DOAC (25.8% and 27.4%, respectively). For the ED cohort, DOAC use was similar between those with a sPESI score of 0 and ≥1 (35.1% and 34.9%, p=0.98) whereas for those hospitalised lower risk patients were more likely to receive a DOAC (31.4% and 23.8%, p<0.055). Follow-up was most common with family physicians for those hospitalised (51.5%), while specialists/VTE clinic was most common for those directly discharged from the ED (50.6%).ConclusionsTraditional and DOAC therapies were proportionately similar between the ED and hospitalised cohorts, despite clear differences in patient populations and follow-up patterns in the community.

scholarly journals THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN D-DIMER AND DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS LOCATION AND ITS ABILITY TO PREDICT PULMONARY EMBOLISM, a retrospective pilot study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Ali Althomali ◽  
Adel S. Alghamdi ◽  
Tareef H. Gnoot ◽  
Mohammad A. Alhassan ◽  
Abdullatif H. Ajaimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Risk Group ◽  
Great Role ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Deep Vein ◽  
Limb Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
D Dimer

Abstract Background In lower limb deep vein thrombosis; it is important to identify proximal from distal deep vein thrombosis as it carries the highest risk of pulmonary embolism. It is known that D-dimer has a great role in deep vein thrombosis diagnosis. Yet, the use of D-dimer to predict the location of deep vein thrombosis and the risk of pulmonary embolism in deep vein thrombosis patients has not been investigated before. Objective To address the correlation between D-dimer and the location of deep vein thrombosis and to study the efficacy of D-dimer to predict risk of PE in patients with proximal or extensive deep vein thrombosis. Method We included 110 consecutive patients who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis, with or without a concomitant diagnosis of PE, and with D-dimer measured at initial presentation. We categorized the location of deep vein thrombosis as: distal, proximal, and extensive. In the analysis, patients were grouped into high-risk (patients with Proximal or Extensive deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) and low risk group (patients without pulmonary embolism). Results There was no significant association between D-dimer level and the location of deep vein thrombosis (p=0.519). However, D-dimer level was greater among patients with pulmonary embolism (9.6mg/L) than among patients without pulmonary embolism (7.4mg/L), (p=0.027). D-dimer was a significant predictor of pulmonary embolism as patients with proximal or extensive deep vein thrombosis had 8-folds increased risk of pulmonary embolism than patients with D-dimer less than 4.75mg/L (OR=7.9, p=0.013). Conclusion Though D-dimer was not significantly associated with the location of deep vein thrombosis, it was a significant predictor of pulmonary embolism in patients hospitalized with proximal or extensive deep vein thrombosis.

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