Clinical implications of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism: short- and long-term clinical outcomes

Delayed anticoagulation is associated with poor outcomes in high-risk acute pulmonary embolism

PURPOSE

Early diagnosis and timely treatment are essential to improve the outcomes of pulmonary embolism (PE), but no study has investigated the impact of anticoagulation timing on clinical outcomes in high-risk acute PE patients. We analyzed the relationship between early anticoagulation initiation and in-hospital mortality in high-risk acute PE patients at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a teaching hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-three PE patients admitted to the ICU were included in this retrospective study. Demographic, clinical, radiological, and therapeutic data were collected on ICU admission, and the timings of diagnosis and anticoagulation initiation were analyzed.

RESULTS

The number of survivors was 67. The median time from hospital arrival to the start of anticoagulation therapy was significantly lower in survivors (3.6 [2.6-5.0] hours) than nonsurvivors (5.7 [4.5-14.9] hours; P = .03). However, the median time required to achieve a therapeutic anticoagulation level was comparable between survivors and nonsurvivors (12.0 [9.5-19.5] vs 16.4 [10.7-27.4] hours; P = .488). Ventilatory support and vasopressor use were found to be associated with higher in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed anticoagulation is an important prognostic factor of poor outcomes in high-risk acute PE patients.

Right ventricular function in acute pulmonary embolism: a combined assessment by three-dimensional and speckle-tracking echocardiography

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess changes in right ventricular (RV) parameters determined by three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography and speckle-tracking echocardiography in patients with acute pulmonary embolism and RV dysfunction without systemic hypotension (submassive pulmonary embolism).

METHODS

Sixty-six patients were prospectively studied at the onset of the acute episode and after median follow-up periods of 30 days and 6 months. Sixty-six controls were selected. RV fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and myocardial performance index were determined. RV systolic pressure was assessed using continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography. Three-dimensional RV ejection fraction (RVEF) was calculated. Two-dimensional peak systolic RV longitudinal strain (RVLS) was measured in the basal free wall, mid free wall (MFW), and apical free wall and the septum.

RESULTS

Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and fractional area change were smaller and myocardial performance index was larger compared with controls (P < .05). Global RVLS (P < .05), MFW RVLS (P < .001), and 3D RVEF (P < .001) were lower in patients with pulmonary embolism than in controls. There was earlier reversal of MFW RVLS values on 30-day follow-up and longer reversal of 3D RVEF and RV systolic pressure values at 6-month follow-up. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that changes in 3D RVEF and MFW RVLS were the most sensitive predictors of adverse events. By multivariate analysis, RV systolic pressure (P = .007), MFW RVLS (P = .002), and 3D RVEF (P = .001) were independently associated with adverse outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute submassive pulmonary embolism has a significant impact on RV function as assessed by 3D echocardiography and speckle-tracking echocardiography. Decreases in MFW RVLS and 3D RVEF may persist during short-term and long-term follow-up and correlate with unfavorable outcomes.