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Granot Y, Ziv-Baran T, Berliner S, Topilsky Y, Aviram G. Left atrium volume and ventricular volume ratio algorithm as indication of pulmonary hypertension etiology. Acta Radiol 2023; 64:2518-2525. [PMID: 37448307 DOI: 10.1177/02841851231187065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pressure overload of the right heart (pulmonary hypertension [PH]) can be an acute or a chronic process with various pathophysiologic changes affecting the dimensions of the heart chambers. The automatic four-chamber volumetric analysis tool is now available to measure the volume of the cardiac chambers in patients undergoing a computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA). PURPOSE To characterize the volumetric changes that occurred in response to increased systolic pulmonary arterial pressures (sPAP) in acute events, such as acute pulmonary embolism (APE), compared with other etiologies. MATERIAL AND METHODS Consecutive patients who underwent CTPA and echocardiography within 24 h between 2011 and 2015 were included. Differences in cardiac chamber volumes were investigated in correlation to the patients' sPAP. RESULTS The final cohort of 961 patients included 221 (23%) patients diagnosed with APE. The right (RV) to left (LV) ventricular volume ratio (VVR) was higher, while the left atrial (LA) volume index was smaller (P < 0.001) in the patients with APE. A decision tree for the prediction of APE showed that an RV to left VVR >2.8 was characteristic of APE, whereas an LA volume index >37.5 mL/m² was more compatible with PH due to other etiologies (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The combination of VVR and LA volume index may help in differentiating between APE and chronic PH. CTPA-based volumetric information may be used to help clarify the underlying etiology of the dyspnea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoav Granot
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated to the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tomer Ziv-Baran
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shlomo Berliner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Affiliated to the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yan Topilsky
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated to the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Galit Aviram
- Department of Radiology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Affiliated to the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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2
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Sharma Y, Sumanadasa S, Shahi R, Horwood C, Thompson C. The value of distinguishing patients with isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism presenting to two tertiary hospitals in Australia: an observational study. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2023:10.1007/s11239-023-02845-3. [PMID: 37335459 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-023-02845-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Isolated-subsegmental-pulmonary-embolism (SSPE) is increasingly diagnosed with the use of computed-tomography-pulmonary-angiogram (CTPA). There remains clinical equipoise for management of SSPE with previous studies not accounting for frailty while determining clinical outcomes. Clinical outcomes among patients with isolated SSPE were compared with those with a more proximal PE after accounting for frailty and other risk-factors. This study included all patients with a positive CTPA for pulmonary embolism (PE) admitted between 2017 and 2021 to two Australian-tertiary-hospitals. Frailty was determined by use of the hospital-frailty-risk-score (HFRS). Competing-risk-analysis and Cox-proportional hazard models determined the cumulative-risk of VTE and mortality within 3 months and 1 year of index PE event after adjustment for frailty and other variables. Of 334 patients with positive CTPA for PE, 111 (33.2%) had isolated-SSPE. The mean (SD) age was 64.3 (17.7) years, 50.9% were males and 9.6% were frail. The risk of recurrent VTE within 3-months (0.9% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.458) and within 1-year of follow-up (2.7% vs. 6.3%, P = 0.126) did not differ significantly between patients with isolated SSPE and those with more proximal PE. After adjusted analyses, the cumulative-incidence of recurrent VTE was not different among patients with isolated SSPE within 1 year of index event [subdistribution-hazard-ratio (HR) 0.84, 95% CI 0.19 to 3.60]. Similarly, mortality within 1 year of index event was also not different between the two groups (aHR 1.72, 95% CI 0.92-3.23). The prevalence of SSPE was 33.2% and even after adjustment for frailty these patients had no different clinical outcomes than those with proximal PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogesh Sharma
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
- Department of General Medicine, Division of Medicine, Cardiac & Critical Care, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, Adelaide, SA, 5002, Australia.
| | - Subodha Sumanadasa
- Department of General Medicine, Division of Medicine, Cardiac & Critical Care, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, Adelaide, SA, 5002, Australia
| | - Rashmi Shahi
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Chris Horwood
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Campbell Thompson
- Discipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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3
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Vinson DR, Isaacs DJ, Taye E, Balasubramanian MJ. Challenges in Managing Isolated Subsegmental Pulmonary Embolism. Perm J 2021; 25. [PMID: 35348105 DOI: 10.7812/tpp/21.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This commentary explores the clinical conundrums arising when caring for patients with acute pulmonary embolism isolated to the subsegmental pulmonary arteries. We discuss ways to confirm the radiologic diagnosis, how to distinguish patients for whom anticoagulation is indicated from those who are eligible for structured surveillance without anticoagulation, what surveillance entails, and why ensuring continuity of care matters. We report a case from our own experience that illustrates these decision-making crossroads and highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration. Because the evidence in the literature is currently weak and indirect, we draw on expert opinion in US and European guidelines, a recent statement from a multidisciplinary consensus panel, and several ongoing well-designed clinical trials. This discussion will help clinicians better manage the spectrum of patients who present with isolated subsegmental embolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Vinson
- The Permanente Medical Group, Oakland, CA.,Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, Oakland, CA.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center, Roseville, CA
| | - Dayna J Isaacs
- School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA.,Internal Medicine Residency Program, University of California Los Angeles Health, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Etsehiwot Taye
- The Permanente Medical Group, Oakland, CA.,Department of Adult and Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente, Selma, CA
| | - Mahesh J Balasubramanian
- The Permanente Medical Group, Oakland, CA.,Department of Adult Hospital Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center, Roseville, CA
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Baumgartner C, Klok FA, Carrier M, Limacher A, Moor J, Righini M, Beer JH, Peluso M, Rakovic D, Huisman MV, Aujesky D. Clinical Surveillance vs. Anticoagulation For low-risk patiEnts with isolated SubSegmental Pulmonary Embolism: protocol for a multicentre randomised placebo-controlled non-inferiority trial (SAFE-SSPE). BMJ Open 2020; 10:e040151. [PMID: 33444199 PMCID: PMC7678381 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The clinical significance of subsegmental pulmonary embolism (SSPE) is currently unclear. Although growing evidence from observational studies suggests that withholding anticoagulant treatment may be a safe option in selected patients with isolated SSPE, most patients with this condition receive anticoagulant treatment, which is associated with a 90-day risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) of 0.8% and major bleeding of up to 5%. Given the ongoing controversy concerning the risk-benefit ratio of anticoagulation for isolated SSPE and the lack of evidence from randomised-controlled studies, the aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of clinical surveillance without anticoagulation in low-risk patients with isolated SSPE. METHODS AND ANALYSIS SAFE-SSPE (Surveillance vs. Anticoagulation For low-risk patiEnts with isolated SubSegmental Pulmonary Embolism, a multicentre randomised placebo-controlled non-inferiority trial) is an international, multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group non-inferiority trial conducted in Switzerland, the Netherlands and Canada. Low-risk patients with isolated SSPE are randomised to receive clinical surveillance with either placebo (no anticoagulation) or anticoagulant treatment with rivaroxaban. All patients undergo bilateral whole-leg compression ultrasonography to exclude concomitant deep vein thrombosis before enrolment. Patients are followed for 90 days. The primary outcome is symptomatic recurrent VTE (efficacy). The secondary outcomes include clinically significant bleeding and all-cause mortality (safety). The ancillary outcomes are health-related quality of life, functional status and medical resource utilisation. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The local ethics committees in Switzerland have approved this protocol. Submission to the Ethical Committees in the Netherlands and Canada is underway. The results of this trial will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04263038.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Baumgartner
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Frederikus A Klok
- Department of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marc Carrier
- Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute at the University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jeanne Moor
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marc Righini
- Division of Angiology and Haemostasis, Geneva University Hospital, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jürg-Hans Beer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital of Baden, Baden, Switzerland
| | - Martina Peluso
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Damiana Rakovic
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Menno V Huisman
- Department of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Drahomir Aujesky
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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A New Way of Looking at an Old Problem. Chest 2020; 158:31-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2020.02.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Dalia T, Ranka S, Patel N, Lippmann M, Pierpoline M, Robinson A, Hacker E, Isom N, Buechler T, Mabry T, Janish C, Satterwhite L, Gupta K. Clinical presentation and outcomes of patients with isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism: A tertiary care center experience. Vasc Med 2020; 25:468-470. [PMID: 32558627 DOI: 10.1177/1358863x20930279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tarun Dalia
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Sagar Ranka
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Nilay Patel
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Matthew Lippmann
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Michael Pierpoline
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Alexander Robinson
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Ethan Hacker
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Nicholas Isom
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Tyler Buechler
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Terrance Mabry
- Medical Student, The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Christopher Janish
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Lewis Satterwhite
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Kamal Gupta
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS, USA
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Ten Cate V, Eggebrecht L, Schulz A, Panova-Noeva M, Lenz M, Koeck T, Rapp S, Arnold N, Lackner KJ, Konstantinides S, Espinola-Klein C, Münzel T, Prochaska JH, Wild PS. Isolated Pulmonary Embolism Is Associated With a High Risk of Arterial Thrombotic Disease: Results From the VTEval Study. Chest 2020; 158:341-349. [PMID: 32217063 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2020.01.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Isolated PE is associated with a higher burden of atherosclerotic disease than other manifestations of VTE. RESEARCH QUESTION We hypothesized that the presence of isolated PE may signal a chronically elevated risk of arterial thrombotic disease. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Data from the VTEval Study, a prospective cohort study enrolling individuals with clinical suspicion and imaging-based diagnosis or exclusion of VTE, were analyzed. Patients with PE received whole-leg ultrasonography to assess presence of DVT. Regularized logistic regression identified features that discriminate between isolated PE and other VTE phenotypes at clinical presentation. Survival analyses were performed to evaluate the crude and adjusted 3-year risks of arterial thrombotic disease, recurrent VTE, and death. RESULTS The sample comprised 510 patients. Isolated PE patients (n = 63) had a distinct clinical profile from patients with other VTE phenotypes (n = 447). COPD, peripheral artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease were significantly more prevalent among patients with isolated PE. Isolated PE patients had significantly higher risk (incidence rate ratio vs DVT-associated PE, 3.7 (95% CI, 1.3-10.8, P = .009); vs isolated DVT, 4.8 (1.7-14.3, P = .001) of arterial thrombotic events (ie, myocardial infarction, stroke/transient ischemic attack). After adjustment for clinical profile and medication intake, the risk of arterial thrombotic events for patients with isolated PE remained quadruple that of other VTE phenotypes (hazard ratio [HR], 3.8 [1.3-10.9], P = .01). INTERPRETATION Patients with isolated PE are at higher risk for arterial thrombosis and may require screening for arterial disease and development of novel therapeutic strategies. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02156401.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Ten Cate
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine, Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Lisa Eggebrecht
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine, Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Andreas Schulz
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine, Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Marina Panova-Noeva
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine, Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael Lenz
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine, Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Koeck
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine, Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany
| | - Steffen Rapp
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine, Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Natalie Arnold
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine, Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Karl J Lackner
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany; Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stavros Konstantinides
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; Department of Cardiology, Democritus University of Thrace, University General Hospital, Greece
| | - Christine Espinola-Klein
- Cardiology I-Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Münzel
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany; Cardiology I-Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jürgen H Prochaska
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine, Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany
| | - Philipp S Wild
- Department of Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine, Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany.
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Bikdeli B, Carrier M, Bates SM. Subsegmental pulmonary embolism: May not be a killer but indicates significant risk. Thromb Res 2019; 185:180-182. [PMID: 31796210 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2019.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Behnood Bikdeli
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA; Yale/YNHH Center for Outcomes Research & Evaluation, New Haven, CT, USA; Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), New York, NY, USA.
| | - Marc Carrier
- Department of Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute at the University of Ottawa, ON, Canada; Ottawa Hospital, General Campus, ON, Canada
| | - Shannon M Bates
- Division of Hematology and Thromboembolism, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Stoller N, Limacher A, Méan M, Baumgartner C, Tritschler T, Righini M, Beer JH, Rodondi N, Aujesky D. Clinical presentation and outcomes in elderly patients with symptomatic isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism. Thromb Res 2019; 184:24-30. [PMID: 31683107 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2019.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Data are limited on clinical presentation and outcomes in elderly patients with acute symptomatic isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism (SSPE). We compared clinical presentation, risk factors, processes of care, and outcomes between elderly patients with SSPE and patients with more proximal pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS We prospectively followed 578 patients aged ≥65 years with acute symptomatic isolated SSPE or proximal PE in a multicentre Swiss cohort study. We compared quality of life at three months using the PEmb-QoL, and examined the independent association between localization of PE and clinical outcomes (recurrent venous thromboembolism [VTE], overall mortality) using regression models with adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS Overall, 11% of patients had isolated SSPE. Patients with SSPE were less likely to have a pulse ≥110/min (3% vs. 13%), but more likely to have active cancer (28% vs. 15%) and to receive outpatient care (11% vs. 4%) than patients with proximal PE. Virtually all patients (98%) with SSPE received anticoagulants. Quality of life did not differ between the groups at 3 months. No patient with SSPE vs. seven patients with proximal PE died from the index PE event. No significant difference was observed for the 3-year cumulative incidence of recurrent VTE (7% vs. 12%) and death (29% vs. 20%). After adjustment, SSPE was not associated with a lower risk of clinical outcomes than proximal PE. CONCLUSIONS Clinical presentation and incidences of adverse outcomes did not differ significantly between elderly patients with SSPE or proximal PE, although the power to detect differences might have been limited given the small number of events. Thus, our study does not provide evidence that unselected, elderly patients with SSPE have a more benign clinical course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Stoller
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Andreas Limacher
- Clinical Trials Unit Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marie Méan
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Division of Internal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christine Baumgartner
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Tritschler
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marc Righini
- Division of Angiology and Haemostasis, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jürg-Hans Beer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital of Baden, Baden, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Rodondi
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Drahomir Aujesky
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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