Investigation and management of pulmonary embolism 1: a probability-based approach

Author(s):  
Stephanie Stolberg ◽  
Dalia Mudawi ◽  
Katrina Dean ◽  
Andrew Cheng ◽  
Richard Barraclough

Pulmonary embolism remains a common and potentially deadly disease, despite advances in diagnostic imaging, treatment and prevention. Managing pulmonary embolism requires a multifactorial approach involving risk stratification, determining appropriate diagnostics and selecting individualised therapy. This article reviews the pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic management and early outpatient management of pulmonary embolism. The second part summarises pulmonary embolism in the setting of pregnancy, COVID-19, recurrent disease and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Author(s):  
Stephanie Stolberg ◽  
Dalia Mudawi ◽  
Katrina Dean ◽  
Andrew Cheng ◽  
Richard Barraclough

Pulmonary embolism remains a common and potentially deadly disease, despite advances in diagnostic imaging, treatment and prevention. Managing pulmonary embolism requires a multifactorial approach involving risk stratification, determining appropriate diagnostics and selecting individualised therapy. The first part of this article reviewed the pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic management and early outpatient management of pulmonary embolism. This second part summarises pulmonary embolism in the setting of pregnancy, COVID-19, recurrent disease and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron B Waxman ◽  
Aaron W Aday

More than 200,000 individuals are hospitalized with an acute pulmonary embolism in the United States annually. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, pulmonary embolism accounts for nearly 1% of all cardiovascular-related deaths each year in the United States alone. Those who survive an acute episode remain at a risk of recurrent events as well as ongoing dyspnea, reduced quality of life, and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Recognized risk factors for pulmonary embolism include advanced age, obesity, smoking, malignancy, immobilization from any cause, pregnancy and the postpartum period, oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy. Numerous heritable and acquired thrombophilias increase the risk of pulmonary embolism. Additionally, inflammation and autoimmune disorders are increasingly recognized as potent risk factors for pulmonary embolism. This review contains 3 figures, 6 tables, 54 references. Key Words: anticoagulation, deep vein thrombosis, epidemiology, genetics, inflammation, malignancy, pulmonary embolism, thrombosis, venous thromboembolism


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron B Waxman ◽  
Aaron W Aday

More than 200,000 individuals are hospitalized with an acute pulmonary embolism in the United States annually. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, pulmonary embolism accounts for nearly 1% of all cardiovascular-related deaths each year in the United States alone. Those who survive an acute episode remain at a risk of recurrent events as well as ongoing dyspnea, reduced quality of life, and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Recognized risk factors for pulmonary embolism include advanced age, obesity, smoking, malignancy, immobilization from any cause, pregnancy and the postpartum period, oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy. Numerous heritable and acquired thrombophilias increase the risk of pulmonary embolism. Additionally, inflammation and autoimmune disorders are increasingly recognized as potent risk factors for pulmonary embolism. This review contains 3 figures, 6 tables, 54 references. Key Words: anticoagulation, deep vein thrombosis, epidemiology, genetics, inflammation, malignancy, pulmonary embolism, thrombosis, venous thromboembolism


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
O. Ya. Vasiltseva ◽  
A. G. Edemskiy ◽  
D. S. Grankin ◽  
E. N. Kliver ◽  
A. M. Chernyavskiy

<p>Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is a long-term consequence of acute pulmonary embolism. Gradual obstruction of the pulmonary arteries and secondary changes in the pulmonary microcirculation over time cause progressive increases in pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary artery pressure that can result in severe right heart failure. This article provides an overview of pulmonary embolism and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension scientific literature and national guidelines. We focus on disease and recurrence risk factors and outline future directions of research to improve short- and long-term patient outcomes.</p><p>Received 17 January 2021. Revised 1 March 2021. Accepted 19 April 2021.</p><p><strong>Funding:</strong> The study did not have sponsorship.</p><p><strong>Conflict of interest:</strong> The authors declare no conflicts of interests.</p><p><strong>Contribution of the authors</strong><br />Conception and study design: A.M. Chernyavskiy, A.G. Edemskiy, D.S. Grankin, E.N. Kliver<br />Drafting the article: O.Ya. Vasiltseva<br />Critical revision of the article: E.N. Kliver<br />Final approval of the version to be published: O.Ya. Vasiltseva, A.G. Edemskiy, D.S. Grankin, E.N. Kliver, A.M. Chernyavskiy</p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Barco ◽  
F A Klok ◽  
S V Konstantinides ◽  
P Dartevelle ◽  
E Fadel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Women are more susceptible to develop several forms of pulmonary hypertension, but they may have better survival rates than men. Sparse data are available concerning sex-specific differences in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Purpose and methods We investigated sex-specific differences in the clinical presentation of CTEPH, functional parameters, exposure to pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), and survival. Results Women constituted half of the study population (N=679 treatment-naïve patients from the European CTEPH registry) and were characterized by a lower prevalence of some cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. prior acute coronary syndrome, smoking habit, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), but more prevalent obesity, cancer, and thyroid diseases. Median age was 62 (IQR 50–73) years in women and 63 (IQR 53–70) in men. Women underwent PEA less often than men (54% vs 65%; Figure 1, Panel A) and were exposed to fewer additional cardiac procedures, notably coronary artery bypass graft surgery (0.5% vs. 9.5%). The prevalence of specific reasons for not being operated, including the patient's refusal and the proportion of proximal vs. distal lesions, did not differ between sexes. A total of 57 (17.0%) deaths in women and 70 (20.7%) in men were recorded over long-term follow-up. Female sex was positively associated with long-term survival (adjusted Hazard Ratio 0.66; 95% Confidence Interval 0.46–0.94). Short-term mortality was identical in the two groups (Figure 1, Panel B). Conclusions Women with CTEPH had a lower prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and underwent PEA less frequently than men, who, in turn, were more often exposed to additional major cardiac surgery procedures. Women had more favorable long-term survival. Acknowledgement/Funding The CTEPH registry is supported by a research grant from Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 204589401879135 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Martinez ◽  
C. Wallenhorst ◽  
S. Teal ◽  
A.T. Cohen ◽  
A.J. Peacock

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a complication of unresolved organised pulmonary emboli/thrombi obstructing the major pulmonary arteries. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and risk factors of CTEPH in a cohort with first venous thromboembolism (VTE). This was a population-based cohort study of patients with first VTE and no active cancer in England between 2001 and 2012. CTEPH was assessed using a rigorous case-ascertainment algorithm. Risk factors for CTEPH were studied using a nested case-control approach by matching CTEPH cases to VTE patients without CTEPH. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) of comorbidities were estimated from conditional logistic regression. During 81,413 person-years of follow-up among 23,329 patients with first VTE (mean follow-up 3.5 years; maximum 11.0 years) 283 patients were diagnosed with CTEPH (incidence rate 3.5 per 1000 person-years); cumulative incidence was 1.3% and 3.3% at 2 and 10 years after pulmonary embolism, and 0.3% and 1.3% following deep vein thrombosis (DVT), respectively. Risk factors for CTEPH included age over 70, OR 2.04 (95% CI 1.23 to 3.38), female gender, 1.44 (1.06 to 1.94), pulmonary embolism at first VTE, 3.11 (2.23 to 4.35), subsequent pulmonary embolism and DVT, 3.17 (2.02 to 4.96) and 2.46 (1.34 to 4.51) respectively, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 3.17 (2.13 to 4.73), heart failure 2.52 (1.76 to 3.63) and atrial fibrillation, 2.42 (1.71 to 3.42). CTEPH develops most commonly after pulmonary embolism and less frequently after DVT. Awareness of risk factors may increase referrals to specialised centres for confirmation of CTEPH and initiation of specific treatment.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron B Waxman ◽  
Aaron W Aday

More than 200,000 individuals are hospitalized with an acute pulmonary embolism in the United States annually. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, pulmonary embolism accounts for nearly 1% of all cardiovascular-related deaths each year in the United States alone. Those who survive an acute episode remain at a risk of recurrent events as well as ongoing dyspnea, reduced quality of life, and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Recognized risk factors for pulmonary embolism include advanced age, obesity, smoking, malignancy, immobilization from any cause, pregnancy and the postpartum period, oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy. Numerous heritable and acquired thrombophilias increase the risk of pulmonary embolism. Additionally, inflammation and autoimmune disorders are increasingly recognized as potent risk factors for pulmonary embolism. This review contains 3 figures, 6 tables, 54 references. Key Words: anticoagulation, deep vein thrombosis, epidemiology, genetics, inflammation, malignancy, pulmonary embolism, thrombosis, venous thromboembolism


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