Comprehensive evaluation of CT pulmonary angiography for patients suspected of having pulmonary embolism

CT pulmonary angiography: optimising acute thoracic imaging by fixed-timing contrast medium delivery with a modified breathing instruction

AIM

To compare the thoracic vascular opacification achieved using the standard bolus-tracking protocol (BTP) with a fixed-timing protocol (FTP) with a modified breathing instruction during computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) examinations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single-centre review of CTPA examinations performed between July 2018 and January 2019 using the BTP or FTP and weight-based contrast dosing of 20 mg iodine/kg body weight/s for 20 seconds at 100 kV tube potential. Radiodensity (in Hounsfield units) was analysed in the right ventricle, main pulmonary artery (MPA), left atrium, left ventricle, and ascending and descending thoracic aorta (DTA). A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Of 782 examinations, 88 BTP and 90 FTP examinations were included. Mean attenuation of the MPA was similar in the FTP (396 ± 106 HU) and BTP (362 ± 119 HU; p=0.06); however, good-quality (≥250 HU) MPA opacification was achieved in more FTP examinations (87/90, 96.7%) compared to the BTP (73/88, 82.9%; p=0.002). Mean attenuation of the DTA was better in the FTP (325 ± 72 HU) than the BTP (228 ± 75 HU; p <0.0001), with good-quality opacification (≥250 HU) in 76/90 (84.4%) FTP examinations compared with 36/88 (40.9%) BTP examinations (p <0.001).

CONCLUSION

The FTP achieves better opacification of the MPA and DTA compared to the BTP.

[Translated article] Prognostic Significance of Findings on CTPA Supporting an Alternative Diagnosis to PE Among Patients Hospitalized for an Exacerbation of COPD: Predefined Subanalysis of the SLICE Trial

BACKGROUND

Among patients hospitalized for an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the SLICE trial showed that the addition of an active diagnostic strategy for pulmonary embolism (PE) to usual care compared with usual care alone did not improve a composite set of health outcomes. The objective of this subanalysis was to determine the frequency and prognostic significance of findings on computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) supporting an alternative diagnosis to PE.

METHODS

We analyzed all patients randomized to the intervention in the SLICE trial who received a CTPA that did not show PE. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the independent association between findings supporting an alternative diagnosis to PE and a composite of readmission for COPD or death within 90 days after randomization.

RESULTS

Among the 746 patients who were randomized, this subanalysis included 175 patients in the intervention group who received a CTPA that did not show PE. Eighty-four (48.0%) patients had acute bronchial infection, 13 (7.4%) had lung cancer, 10 (5.7%) had congestive heart failure, 8 (4.6%), 18 (10.3%) had other diagnoses, and 42 (24.0%) had a normal CTPA. In multivariable analysis, findings supporting an alternative diagnosis to PE were not significantly associated with the primary outcome (odds ratio: 0.64; 95% confidence interval: 0.30-1.38; P=0.26).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients hospitalized for an exacerbation of COPD, CTPA identified an alternative diagnosis in 76% of the patients. However, specific management of these patients was not associated with improved outcomes within 90 days after randomization.

Significado pronóstico de los diagnósticos alternativos a la TEP hallados en la tomografía computarizada de tórax de pacientes ingresados por agudización de EPOC: subanálisis predefinido del ensayo SLICE

BACKGROUND

Among patients hospitalized for an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the SLICE trial showed that the addition of an active diagnostic strategy for pulmonary embolism (PE) to usual care compared with usual care alone did not improve a composite set of health outcomes. The objective of this subanalysis was to determine the frequency and prognostic significance of findings on computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) supporting an alternative diagnosis to PE.

METHODS

We analyzed all patients randomized to the intervention in the SLICE trial who received a CTPA that did not show PE. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the independent association between findings supporting an alternative diagnosis to PE and a composite of readmission for COPD or death within 90 days after randomization.

RESULTS

Among the 746 patients who were randomized, this subanalysis included 175 patients in the intervention group who received a CTPA that did not show PE. Eighty-four (48.0%) patients had acute bronchial infection, 13 (7.4%) had lung cancer, 10 (5.7%) had congestive heart failure, 8 (4.6%), 18 (10.3%) had other diagnoses, and 42 (24.0%) had a normal CTPA. In multivariable analysis, findings supporting an alternative diagnosis to PE were not significantly associated with the primary outcome (odds ratio: 0.64; 95% confidence interval: 0.30-1.38; P=0.26).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients hospitalized for an exacerbation of COPD, CTPA identified an alternative diagnosis in 76% of the patients. However, specific management of these patients was not associated with improved outcomes within 90 days after randomization.

Predictive Value of Circulating microRNA-134 Levels for Early Diagnosis of Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Meta-analysis

Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a common sudden venous thromboembolism with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Several studies have concluded that microRNA-134 could be a potential biomarker for APE. However, the sensitivity of these studies varies widely. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of circulating microRNA-134 levels for APE. Four databases were searched to retrieve articles focusing on microRNA-134 detection in APE diagnosis. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 was used to evaluate the quality of the included literature. This meta-analysis included seven studies and 383 subjects. The microRNA-134 levels in APE patients were higher than those in controls (SMD = 2.84, z = 3.69, p < 0.001). The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio were 0.86 (0.72-0.94), 0.75 (0.66-0.82), and 19 (7-51), respectively. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 3.4 (2.4-4.8) and 0.18 (0.08-0.40), respectively. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.81 (0.77-0.84). Circulating microRNA-134 may be a new biomarker for the diagnosis of APE, but more tests and studies are needed to further explore and prove this. Trial registration number: PROSPERO registration #CRD42020184072.

Comprehensive MDCT evaluation of patients with pulmonary hypertension: diagnosing underlying causes with the updated Dana Point 2008 classification

OBJECTIVE

Pulmonary hypertension is a challenge for imagers and clinicians, with a variety of possible underlying causes, each with its own specific treatment. Although the diagnosis is based on physiologic measurements, ECG-gated MDCT can play a vital role in elucidating underlying cardiac, vascular, and pulmonary causes.

CONCLUSION

A revised system for pulmonary hypertension, the Dana Point classification, can provide a template for review of the myriad causes of this complex condition.