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Li M, Li J, Wang X, Hui X, Wang Q, Xie S, Yan P, Tian J, Li J, Xie P, Yang K, Yao L. Oral direct thrombin inhibitors or oral factor Xa inhibitors versus conventional anticoagulants for the treatment of pulmonary embolism. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 4:CD010957. [PMID: 37057837 PMCID: PMC10103165 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd010957.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially life-threatening condition in which a clot can migrate from the deep veins, most commonly in the leg, to the lungs. Conventional treatment of PE used unfractionated heparin (UFH), low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), fondaparinux, and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). Recently, two forms of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been developed: oral direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs) and oral factor Xa inhibitors. DOACs have characteristics that may be favourable to conventional treatment, including oral administration, a predictable effect, no need for frequent monitoring or re-dosing, and few known drug interactions. This review reports the efficacy and safety of these drugs in the long-term treatment of PE (minimum duration of three months). This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2015. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of oral DTIs and oral factor Xa inhibitors versus conventional anticoagulants for the long-term treatment of PE. SEARCH METHODS The Cochrane Vascular Information Specialist searched the Cochrane Vascular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL databases, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and the ClinicalTrials.gov trials registers to 2 March 2022. We checked the reference lists of relevant articles for additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which people with a PE confirmed by standard imaging techniques were allocated to receive an oral DTI or an oral factor Xa inhibitor compared with a conventional anticoagulant or compared with each other for the long-term treatment of PE (minimum duration three months). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were recurrent PE, recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE), and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, major bleeding, and health-related quality of life. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome. MAIN RESULTS We identified five additional RCTs with 1484 participants for this update. Together with the previously included trials, we have included ten RCTs with a total of 13,073 participants. Two studies investigated an oral DTI (dabigatran) and eight studies investigated oral factor Xa inhibitors (three rivaroxaban, three apixaban, and two edoxaban). The studies were of good methodological quality overall. Meta-analysis showed no clear difference in the efficacy and safety of oral DTI compared with conventional anticoagulation in preventing recurrent PE (odds ratio (OR) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50 to 2.04; 2 studies, 1602 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), recurrent VTE (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.66; 2 studies, 1602 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), DVT (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.29 to 2.13; 2 studies, 1602 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), and major bleeding (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.68; 2 studies, 1527 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). We downgraded the certainty of evidence by one level for imprecision due to the low number of events. There was also no clear difference between the oral factor Xa inhibitors and conventional anticoagulation in the prevention of recurrent PE (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.29; 3 studies, 8186 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), recurrent VTE (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.03; 8 studies, 11,416 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), DVT (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.25; 2 studies, 8151 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), all-cause mortality (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.70; 1 study, 4817 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and major bleeding (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.41; 8 studies, 11,447 participants; low-certainty evidence); the heterogeneity for major bleeding was significant (I2 = 79%). We downgraded the certainty of the evidence to moderate and low because of imprecision due to the low number of events and inconsistency due to clinical heterogeneity. None of the included studies measured health-related quality of life. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Available evidence shows there is probably little or no difference between DOACs and conventional anticoagulation in the prevention of recurrent PE, recurrent VTE, DVT, all-cause mortality, and major bleeding. The certainty of evidence was moderate or low. Future large clinical trials are required to identify if individual drugs differ in effectiveness and bleeding risk, and to explore effect differences in subgroups, including people with cancer and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meixuan Li
- Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Jing Li
- Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqin Wang
- Michael G DeGroote Institute for Pain Research and Care, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Xu Hui
- Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Shitong Xie
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Peijing Yan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinhui Tian
- Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jianfeng Li
- Department of Cardiology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ping Xie
- Department of Cardiology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Kehu Yang
- Evidence-Based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Evidence-Based Social Science Research Center, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Liang Yao
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
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Ma RZ, Han PP, Tao XC, Li H, Wang L, Zhai ZG, Fu LP. A Feasibility Study on Using Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Pulmonary Perfusion/Ventilation Imaging for the Diagnosis of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension and Patient Risk Assessment. Int J Gen Med 2021; 14:8029-8038. [PMID: 34785945 PMCID: PMC8591112 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s335051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The study is designed to evaluate the diagnostic ability of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) pulmonary ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) imaging in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and investigate its feasibility in assessing patient risk. Methods A total of 83 patients suspected of having CTEPH who received V/Q tomography were retrospectively analyzed. The consistency between SPECT V/Q imaging and pulmonary angiography was compared to investigate the correlation between the percentage of pulmonary perfusion defect score (PPDs%) and the hemodynamic indices. Patients were grouped according to the pulmonary arterial hypertension risk stratification, and the V/Q imaging results were compared between different groups. Results For the 1494 pulmonary segments of the 83 patients, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of identifying pulmonary segments with defects using V/Q imaging was 87.05%, 82.78% (668/807), and 84.74% (1266/1494), respectively. The average PPDs% (58.8 ± 12.6%) was positively correlated with the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and right ventricular pressure (RVP; r =0.316, 0.318, and 0.432, respectively; P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with the six-minute walk distance (6MWD; r = −0.309; P < 0.05). There were 37 patients in the low-risk group and 46 in the medium-high-risk group. The number of pulmonary segments with perfusion defects (NPSPDs) and PPDs% were higher in the medium-high risk than in the low-risk group (t = −6.721, −5.032; P < 0.05). In the low- and medium-high-risk groups, the cut-off values for the NPSPDs (7.2 ± 2.1 and 10.2 ± 2.0) and PPDs% (51.9 ± 11.1% and 64.3 ± 11.1%,) were 8.5 and 61.25%, respectively. Conclusion SPECT V/Q imaging achieved an accurate diagnosis of CTEPH. The semi-quantitative analysis index (PPDs%) was correlated with the hemodynamic indices and 6MWD. SPECT V/Q could be used for the preoperative risk assessment of patients with CTEPH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Zheng Ma
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping-Ping Han
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Cao Tao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Guo Zhai
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Ping Fu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
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Toney LK, Kim RD, Palli SR. The Economic Value of Hybrid Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography With Computed Tomography Imaging in Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis. Acad Emerg Med 2017. [PMID: 28650562 PMCID: PMC5601189 DOI: 10.1111/acem.13247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective The objective was to quantify the potential economic value of single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with computed tomography (CT; SPECT/CT) versus CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA), ventilation–perfusion (V/Q) planar scintigraphy, and V/Q SPECT imaging modalities for diagnosing suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) patients in an emergency setting. Methods An Excel‐based simulation model was developed to compare SPECT/CT versus the alternate scanning technologies from a payer's perspective. Clinical endpoints (diagnosis, treatment, complications, and mortality) and their corresponding cost data (2016 USD) were obtained by performing a best evidence review of the published literature. Studies were pooled and parameters were weighted by sample size. Outcomes measured included differences in 1) excess costs, 2) total costs, and 3) lives lost per annum between SPECT/CT and the other imaging modalities. One‐way (±25%) sensitivity and three scenario analyses were performed to gauge the robustness of the results. Results For every 1,000 suspected PE patients undergoing imaging, expected annual economic burden by modality was found to be 3.2 million (SPECT/CT), 3.8 million (CTPA), 5.8 million (planar), and 3.6 million (SPECT) USD, with a switch to SPECT/CT technology yielding per‐patient‐per‐month cost savings of $51.80 (vs. CTPA), $213.80 (vs. planar), and $36.30 (vs. SPECT), respectively. The model calculated that the incremental number of lives saved with SPECT/CT was six (vs. CTPA) and three (vs. planar). Utilizing SPECT/CT as the initial imaging modality for workup of acute PE was also expected to save $994,777 (vs. CTPA), $2,852,014 (vs. planar), and $435,038 (vs. SPECT) in “potentially avoidable”’ excess costs per annum for a payer or health plan. Conclusion Compared to the currently available scanning technologies for diagnosing suspected PE, SPECT/CT appears to confer superior economic value, primarily via improved sensitivity and specificity and low nondiagnostic rates. In turn, the improved diagnostic accuracy accords this modality the lowest ratio of expenses attributable to potentially avoidable complications, misdiagnosis, and underdiagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren K. Toney
- Division of Nuclear Medicine; Valley Medical Center; Renton WA
- Division of Nuclear Medicine; University of Washington Medical Center; Seattle WA
| | - Richard D. Kim
- Southlake Clinic; University of Washington Medical Center; Seattle WA
| | - Swetha R. Palli
- Health Outcomes Research; CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting, Inc.; Covington KY
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Hess S, Madsen PH. Radionuclide Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 906:49-65. [DOI: 10.1007/5584_2016_105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
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Leuschner G, Wenter V, Milger K, Zimmermann GS, Matthes S, Meinel FG, Lehner S, Neurohr C, Behr J, Kneidinger N. Suspected pulmonary embolism in patients with pulmonary fibrosis: Discordance between ventilation/perfusion SPECT and CT pulmonary angiography. Respirology 2016; 21:1081-7. [PMID: 27061739 DOI: 10.1111/resp.12797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Revised: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common differential diagnosis in patients with pulmonary fibrosis presenting with a clinical deterioration. Both ventilation/perfusion (V/Q)-single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) are routinely used to detect PE. However, the value of V/Q-SPECT and CTPA in this scenario has not been studied so far. We aimed to investigate the concordance of V/Q-SPECT and CTPA in patients with pulmonary fibrosis and suspicion of pulmonary embolism. METHODS A total of 22 consecutive patients with pulmonary fibrosis and clinical deterioration who underwent both V/Q-SPECT and CTPA were included in the study and analyzed for the presence of pulmonary embolism. RESULTS Nine of 22 patients (41%) had evidence for pulmonary embolism in V/Q-SPECT, and two of these patients had matching evidence for pulmonary embolism in CTPA. In the other seven patients with positive findings in V/Q-SPECT, no evidence of pulmonary embolism was found in CTPA. None of the 13 patients with a negative V/Q-SPECT had evidence for pulmonary embolism in CTPA. CONCLUSION In patients with pulmonary fibrosis and suspected pulmonary embolism, pulmonary embolism is detected more frequently by V/Q-SPECT than by CTPA. Thromboembolic disease is identified on CTPA only in a minority of patients with positive findings on V/Q-SPECT. When making treatment decisions, clinicians should be aware of the high rate of discordant findings in V/Q-SPECT and CTPA in this specific patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Leuschner
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC-M), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Vera Wenter
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katrin Milger
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC-M), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Gregor S Zimmermann
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC-M), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Sandhya Matthes
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC-M), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Felix G Meinel
- Institute for Clinical Radiology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Lehner
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Claus Neurohr
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC-M), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Jürgen Behr
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC-M), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Kneidinger
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC-M), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
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Karia S, Screaton N. Pulmonary embolism. IMAGING 2016. [DOI: 10.1183/2312508x.10002615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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Robertson L, Kesteven P, McCaslin JE. Oral direct thrombin inhibitors or oral factor Xa inhibitors for the treatment of pulmonary embolism. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015; 2015:CD010957. [PMID: 26636644 PMCID: PMC6463831 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd010957.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary embolism is a potentially life-threatening condition in which a clot can travel from the deep veins, most commonly in the leg, up to the lungs. Previously, a pulmonary embolism was treated with the anticoagulants heparin and vitamin K antagonists. Recently, however, two forms of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been developed: oral direct thrombin inhibitors (DTI) and oral factor Xa inhibitors. The new drugs have characteristics that may be favourable over conventional treatment, including oral administration, a predictable effect, lack of frequent monitoring or re-dosing and few known drug interactions. To date, no Cochrane review has measured the effectiveness and safety of these drugs in the long-term treatment (minimum duration of three months) of pulmonary embolism. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of oral DTIs and oral factor Xa inhibitors for the long-term treatment of pulmonary embolism. SEARCH METHODS The Cochrane Vascular Trials Search Co-ordinator searched the Specialised Register (last searched January 2015) and the Cochrane Register of Studies (last searched January 2015). Clinical trials databases were also searched for details of ongoing or unpublished studies. We searched the reference lists of relevant articles retrieved by electronic searches for additional citations. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials in which patients with a pulmonary embolism confirmed by standard imaging techniques were allocated to receive an oral DTI or an oral factor Xa inhibitor for the long-term (minimum duration three months) treatment of pulmonary embolism. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors (LR, JM) independently extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias in the trials. Any disagreements were resolved by discussion with the third author (PK). We used meta-analyses when we considered heterogeneity low. The two primary outcomes were recurrent venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism. Other outcomes included all-cause mortality and major bleeding. We calculated all outcomes using an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). MAIN RESULTS We included five randomised controlled trials with a total of 7897 participants. Two studies tested oral DTIs (dabigatran) and three studies tested oral factor Xa inhibitors (one rivaroxaban, one edoxaban and one apixaban).Analysis showed no difference in the effectiveness of oral DTIs and standard anticoagulation in preventing recurrent pulmonary embolism (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.50 to 2.04; two studies; 1602 participants; high quality evidence), recurrent venous thromboembolism (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.66; two studies; 1602 participants; high quality evidence), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.29 to 2.13; two studies; 1602 participants; high quality evidence) and major bleeding (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.68; two studies; 1527 participants; high quality evidence).For oral factor Xa inhibitors, when we combined the three included studies together in meta-analyses, there was significant heterogeneity for recurrent pulmonary embolism (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.46 to 2.56; two studies; 4509 participants; I(2) = 58%; moderate quality evidence). The oral factor Xa inhibitors were no more or less effective in the prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.15; three studies; 6295 participants; high quality evidence), DVT (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.32; two studies; 4509 participants; high quality evidence), all-cause mortality (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.70; one study; 4817 participants; moderate quality evidence) or major bleeding (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.62; two studies; 4507 participants; high quality evidence). None of the studies measured quality of life. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Moderate to high quality evidence suggests that there are no differences between DOACs and standard anticoagulation for the long-term treatment of pulmonary embolism, for the outcomes recurrent pulmonary embolism, recurrent venous thromboembolism, DVT, all-cause mortality and major bleeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Robertson
- Freeman HospitalDepartment of Vascular SurgeryNewcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustHigh HeatonNewcastle upon TyneUKNE7 7DN
| | - Patrick Kesteven
- Freeman HospitalDepartment of HaematologyFreeman RoadHigh HeatonNewcastle upon TyneUKNE7 7DN
| | - James E McCaslin
- Freeman HospitalNorthern Vascular CentreNewcastle upon TyneTyne & WearUKNE7 7DN
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Ten years of imaging for pulmonary embolism: too many scans or the tip of an iceberg? Clin Radiol 2015; 70:1370-5. [PMID: 26385203 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2015.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
AIM To examine the number and nature of investigations performed for suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) in a large teaching hospital and the change in incidence and severity of PE over a decade. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this retrospective study, all patients investigated for suspected PE using computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or lung scintigraphy during 10 years to March 2012 were identified and their records reviewed. In the final year, all reportedly positive CTPA cases were reviewed and PE severity calculated, for comparison with similar historical data. RESULTS From 2002 to 2012, total annual investigations for suspected acute PE increased by 163% (805 to 2121). CTPA increased by 325% (475 to 2019). Detection of PE increased by 121% (193 to 426 per annum), with stable distribution of severity scores. The positive scan rate decreased from 24% to 20%. The mean age of patients being investigated for PE increased from 56 to 63 years. CONCLUSIONS Increased detection of PE is not due to disproportionate increase in small PEs, but to increased detection of PE of all severities. This finding supports the hypothesis that PE is more common in the general population than previously appreciated, which may represent an iceberg phenomenon of previously undetected disease.
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Ranji Amjad M, Abbasi M, Farzanehfar S. Lung Perfusion SPECT: Application in a Patient With Tetralogy of Fallot and Suspected Pulmonary Thromboemboli. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY 2015; 12:e9086. [PMID: 25901270 PMCID: PMC4394673 DOI: 10.5812/iranjradiol.9086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2012] [Revised: 03/04/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A 22-year-old woman presented with acute left-sided pleuritic chest pain and dyspnea 6 days after surgery for revision of the stenotic central aortopulmonary shunt. She had a history of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), pulmonary valve stenosis, ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collateral artery. Her Waterston shunt was placed when she was 5 years old and stented and re-dilated after stenosis. Acute pulmonary thromboemboli (PTE) was suspected and pulmonary perfusion scan was performed with 4 mCi 99m Technetium labeled macroaggregated albumin. The left lung was globally hypoperfused with evident uptake in the brain, renal parenchyma and thyroid. SPECT images revealed a segmental wedge-shaped peripheral defect in the posterior segment of the left upper lobe. The scan was interpreted as acute/chronic PTE or vascular abnormality. CT angiography excluded PTE; nevertheless the patient was treated with a therapeutic dose of heparin changed to warfarin and was discharged with improvement of the symptoms. Pulmonary artery angiography was not performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Ranji Amjad
- Research Institute for Nuclear Medicine, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrshad Abbasi
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Vali-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Farzanehfar
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Vali-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Corresponding author: Saeed Farzanehfar, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Vali-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P. O. Box: 14197-33141, Tehran, Iran. Tel: +98-2161192400, Fax: +98-2166581529, E-mail:
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Abstract
Planar ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scanning is often used to investigate pulmonary embolism; however, it has well-recognized limitations. SPECT overcomes many of these through its ability to generate 3-dimensional imaging data. V/Q SPECT has higher sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy than planar imaging and a lower indeterminate rate. SPECT allows for new ways to display and analyze data, such as parametric V/Q ratio images. Compared with CT pulmonary angiography, SPECT has higher sensitivity, a lower radiation dose, fewer technically suboptimal studies, and no contrast-related complications. Any nuclear medicine department equipped with a modern hybrid scanner can now perform combined V/Q SPECT with CT (using low-dose protocols) to further enhance diagnostic accuracy. V/Q SPECT (with or without CT) has application in other pulmonary conditions and in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Roach
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Royal North Shore Hospital, and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
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Stein PD, Matta F. Noninvasive Imaging in Pulmonary Embolism According to Age and Gender. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 2012; 20:143-6. [DOI: 10.1177/1076029612462763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Some now recommend a lung scan if the plain chest radiograph is normal instead of computed tomographic (CT) angiography to minimize the risks of radiation in younger patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. The purpose of this investigation is to determine practice standards according to age and gender in regard to noninvasive imaging. Data are from the Nationwide Inpatient Patient, 1998 to 2009. In 2006 to 2009, the proportion of females with pulmonary embolism imaged with CT angiography was 275 (90%) of 305 among teenagers and girls, 3990 (87%) of 4570 among women 20 to 40 years, and 25 650 (85%) of 30 160 among women >40 years. Among males the proportion imaged with CT angiography was 175 (92%) of 190 among teenagers and boys, 3000 (89%) of 3370 among men 20 to 40 years, and 21 280 (86%) of 24 800 among men >40 years. In conclusion, contrary to the recommendations of some, CT angiography is usually obtained in young patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D. Stein
- Department of Research, St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia, MI, USA
- Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Fadi Matta
- Department of Research, St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia, MI, USA
- Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, MI, USA
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