Time trends in pulmonary embolism mortality in France, 2000-2010

Sex differences in temporal trends in main and secondary pulmonary embolism diagnosis and case fatality rates: 2003-2019

AIMS

There is controversy regarding the incidence and outcomes of pulmonary embolism (PE) according to sex. Our aim was to address sex differences in temporal trends in main and secondary hospital PE diagnoses, management and case fatality rates (CFR).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Retrospective analysis of Spain´s National Healthcare System hospital database, years 2003-2019, for patients ≥18 years with main or secondary PE diagnosis. Trends by sex in hospital diagnosis, use of procedures, and CFRs were analysed by joinpoint and Poisson regression models. Of 339 469 PE diagnoses, 52% were in women. Sixty-five percent were main diagnosis, 35.2% secondary. Total annual diagnoses and frequentation rates increased similarly in men and women: average annual percent change (AAPC): 2.0% (95% CI, 1.3-2.6; P < 0.005). Secondary PEs were more common in men (37.8% vs. 32.9%, P < 0.001). Men showed greater comorbidity than women (Charlson index 2.22 ± 0.01 vs. 1.74 ± 0.01, P < 0.001), particularly cancer in the secondary diagnosis group (40.9% vs. 31.6%, P < 0.001). CFRs for PE as main diagnosis were comparable and decreased in parallel in men (from 13.8% in 2003 to 7.3% in 2019) and women (from 13.1% in 2003 to 6.9% in 2019). However, for PE as secondary diagnosis, CFRs remained higher (P < 0.001) in men (from 42.5% in 2003 to 26.2% in 2019) than women (from 34.4% in 2003 to 22.8% in 2019).

CONCLUSION

PE hospital diagnosis increased significantly between 2003 and 2019 in men and women for both main and secondary diagnosis. Although in-hospital CFR decreased one third still remains very high, especially in men with secondary PE diagnosis.

On-treatment Comparative Effectiveness of Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants in GARFIELD-VTE, and Focus on Cancer and Renal Disease

Background Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) provide a safe, effective alternative to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment, as shown via intention-to-treat comparative effectiveness analysis. However, on-treatment analysis is imperative in observational studies because anticoagulation choice and duration are at investigators' discretion.

Objectives The aim of the study is to compare the effectiveness of DOACs and VKAs on 12-month outcomes in VTE patients using on-treatment analysis.

Methods The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD - VTE (GARFIELD-VTE) is a world-wide, prospective, non-interventional study observing treatment of VTE in routine clinical practice.

Results In total, 8,034 patients received VKAs (n = 3,043, 37.9%) or DOACs (n = 4,991, 62.1%). After adjustment for baseline characteristics and follow-up bleeding events, and accounting for possible time-varying confounding, all-cause mortality was significantly lower with DOACs than VKAs (hazard ratio: 0.58 [95% confidence interval 0.42–0.79]). Furthermore, patients receiving VKAs were more likely to die of VTE complications (4.9 vs. 2.2%) or bleeding (4.9 vs. 0.0%). There was no significant difference in rates of recurrent VTE (hazard ratio: 0.74 [0.55–1.01]), major bleeding (hazard ratio: 0.76 [0.47–1.24]), or overall bleeding (hazard ratio: 0.87 [0.72–1.05]) with DOACs or VKAs. Unadjusted analyses suggested that VKA patients with active cancer or renal insufficiency were more likely to die than patients treated with DOAC (52.51 [37.33–73.86] vs. 26.52 [19.37–36.29] and 9.97 [7.51–13.23] vs. 4.70 [3.25–6.81] per 100 person-years, respectively).

Conclusion DOACs and VKAs had similar rates of recurrent VTE and major bleeding. However, DOACs were associated with reduced all-cause mortality and a lower likelihood of death from VTE or bleeding compared with VKAs.

Evaluation of the impact of changes in the autopsy rate on mortality trend of pulmonary embolism, Finland, 1996-2017

Pulmonary embolism is listed as a cause of death in fewer and fewer cases in the twenty-first century. Autopsies reveal undiagnosed pulmonary embolism at a significant rate, but fewer and fewer autopsies are being performed. It could be that deaths from pulmonary embolism are not decreasing, but are increasingly missed because of decreasing autopsy rate. Population-based registry data of all individuals with pulmonary embolism related death from the Finnish death certificate archive from 1996 to 2017 were collected. The pulmonary embolism mortality trend was analysed with linear regression and the association of pulmonary embolism mortality with the number of autopsies was also assessed. Deaths with pulmonary embolism as immediate, underlying and contributory cause of death were not only included, but also analysed separately. In addition, the estimated pulmonary embolism mortality when presumptively missed pulmonary embolisms are taken into account is presented. During 1996-2017, the pulmonary embolism related mortality rate decreased 28% from 25: 100 000 to 18: 100 000, if all pulmonary embolism deaths were analysed, and 51% from 21: 100 000 to 11: 100 000 if contributory pulmonary embolism deaths were excluded. From 1996 to 2009, autopsy rate in the population remained unchanged, but declined thereafter. In 1996, autopsy rate was 31.1% (15 319/49167) and in 2017 20.1% (10830/53 923). Our results suggest that there has been real improvement in the prevention of death from pulmonary embolism in Finland in the twenty-first century. However, due to the decreasing autopsy rate, the pulmonary embolism mortality trend after 2010 should be interpreted more carefully.

Trends in Mortality Due to Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, and Pulmonary Embolism in Patients Receiving Dialysis

IMPORTANCE

During the past decades, improvements in the prevention and management of myocardial infarction, stroke, and pulmonary embolism have led to a decline in cardiovascular mortality in the general population. However, it is unknown whether patients receiving dialysis have also benefited from these improvements.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the mortality rates for myocardial infarction, stroke, and pulmonary embolism in a large cohort of European patients receiving dialysis compared with the general population.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

In this cohort study, adult patients who started dialysis between 1998 and 2015 from 11 European countries providing data to the European Renal Association Registry were and followed up for 3 years. Data were analyzed from September 2020 to February 2022.

EXPOSURES

Start of dialysis.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The age- and sex-standardized mortality rate ratios (SMRs) with 95% CIs were calculated by dividing the mortality rates in patients receiving dialysis by the mortality rates in the general population for 3 equal periods (1998-2003, 2004-2009, and 2010-2015).

RESULTS

In total, 220 467 patients receiving dialysis were included in the study. Their median (IQR) age was 68.2 (56.5-76.4) years, and 82 068 patients (37.2%) were female. During follow-up, 83 912 patients died, of whom 7662 (9.1%) died because of myocardial infarction, 5030 (6.0%) died because of stroke, and 435 (0.5%) died because of pulmonary embolism. Between the periods 1998 to 2003 and 2010 to 2015, the SMR of myocardial infarction decreased from 8.1 (95% CI, 7.8-8.3) to 6.8 (95% CI, 6.5-7.1), the SMR of stroke decreased from 7.3 (95% CI, 7.0-7.6) to 5.8 (95% CI, 5.5-6.2), and the SMR of pulmonary embolism decreased from 8.7 (95% CI, 7.6-10.1) to 5.5 (95% CI, 4.5-6.6).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study of patients receiving dialysis, mortality rates for myocardial infarction, stroke, and pulmonary embolism decreased more over time than in the general population.

Decline in Overall Pulmonary Embolism-Related Mortality and Increasing Prevalence of Cancer-Associated Events in the Veneto Region (Italy), 2008-2019

BACKGROUND

 Despite evidence of ongoing epidemiological changes in deaths from venous thromboembolism in high-income countries, little recent information is available on the time trends in mortality related to pulmonary embolism (PE) as underlying or concomitant cause of death in Europe.

METHODS

 We accessed the regional database of death certificates of Veneto Region (Northern Italy, population 4,900,000) from 2008 to 2019. We analyzed the trends in crude and age-adjusted annual rates of mortality related to PE (reported either as underlying cause or in any position in the death certificate) using Joinpoint regression; in the contribution of PE to mortality (proportionate mortality); and, using logistic regression, in the association between PE and cancer at death.

RESULTS

 Between 2008 and 2019, the annual age-standardized mortality rate related to PE in Veneto decreased from 20.7 to 12.6 deaths per 100,000 population for PE in any position of the death certificate, and from 4.6 to 2.2 deaths per 100,000 population for PE as underlying cause of death. PE-related proportionate mortality remained up to twice as high in women. The age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio for cancer in deaths with versus without PE constantly increased from 1.01 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88-1.16) in 2008 to 1.58 (95% CI: 1.35-1.83) in 2019.

CONCLUSION

 The descending trends in PE-related mortality reported for Europe up to 2015 for both sexes continued thereafter in this high-income region of Northern Italy. However, sex differences in proportionate mortality persist. The increasing strength in the association between cancer and PE may indicate a change in risk factor distribution, calling for tailored management practices in this patient group.

Trends in Mortality of Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Despite substantial advances in the diagnosis and management, pulmonary embolism (PE) continues to be a significant cause of mortality. In this article, we provide a concise overview of the evolution of worldwide mortality trends related to PE. Despite the data being derived mainly from observational studies, there is a clear trend toward decreasing mortality over time from PE. Whether this truly represents a treatment effect or is more related to increased diagnosis of small PEs is not fully clear. Modern approaches to PE management such as the PE response teams have the potential to further reduce the mortality from PE.

Trends in Acute Pulmonary Embolism Admission Rates and Mortality Outcomes in Australia, 2002-2003 to 2017-2018: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

 Contemporary Australian epidemiological data on acute pulmonary embolism (PE) are lacking.

OBJECTIVES

 To determine the admission rates of acute PE in Australia, and to assess the temporal trends in short- and medium-term mortality following acute PE.

METHODS

 Retrospective population-linkage study of all New South Wales residents admitted with a primary diagnosis of PE between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2018 using data from the Centre for Health Record Linkage databases. Main outcome measures included temporal trends in total PE admissions and all-cause mortality at prespecified time points up to 1 year, stratified by gender.

RESULTS

 There were 61,607 total PE admissions between 2002 and 2018 (mean ± standard deviation: 3,624 ± 429 admissions per annum; 50.42 ± 3.70 admissions per 100,000 persons per annum). The mean admission rate per annum was higher for females than for males (54.85 ± 3.65 vs. 44.91 ± 4.34 admissions per 100,000 persons per annum, respectively) and remained relatively stable for both genders throughout the study period. The main study cohort, limited to index PE admission only, comprised 46,382 persons (mean age: 64.6 ± 17.3 years; 44.4% males). The cumulative in-hospital, 30-day, 3-month, and 1-year mortality rates were 3.7, 5.6, 9.6, and 16.8%, respectively. When compared with 2002 as the reference year, there was a significant reduction in in-hospital (odds ratio [OR] = 0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.25-0.46), 30-day (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.46-0.73), and 1-year (hazard ratio = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.66-0.84) (all p < 0.001) mortality risk by 2017 after adjusting for age, gender, and relevant confounders. The survival improvements were seen in both genders and were greater for females than for males.

CONCLUSION

 Mortality following PE has improved with reductions observed in both short- and medium-term follow-ups between 2002 and 2018 with greater reductions in females despite their higher admission rates over time.

Modified model for end-stage liver disease score predicts 30-day mortality in high-risk patients with acute pulmonary embolism admitted to intensive care units

OBJECTIVES

The Model for End-stage Liver Disease excluding the international normalised ratio that is derived from prothrombin time which is calculated as a ratio of the patient's prothrombin time to a control prothrombin time standardized (MELD-XI) and modified MELD, which uses albumin in place of the international normalised ratio (MELD-Albumin) scores reflect liver and renal function and are predictors of mortality. However, their prognostic value in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) has not been studied.

DESIGN

We assessed the predictive value of the MELD scores in patients diagnosed with high-risk APE admitted to the intensive care unit. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 273 patients included in the study, 231 were survivors and 42 were non-survivors. The mortality rate was 15.3%. The mean MELD-XI and MELD-Albumin scores were significantly higher in the non-survivors than in the survivors (MELD XI, 11.8 ± 1.8 and 10.6 ± 1.43, respectively; p = .002; MELD-Albumin, 10.5 ± 1.6 and 8.7 ± 1.1, respectively; p = .001). The multiple logistic regression analysis identified the MELD-XI (hazard ratio: 3.029, confidence interval: 1.06-1.21, p = .007) and MELD-Albumin (hazard ratio: 1.13, confidence interval: 1.06-1.21, p = .002) scores as independent predictors of mortality. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that the predictive power of the MELD-Albumin score (0.871 ± 0.014; p < .001) was higher than those of the MELD-XI (0.726 ± 0.022, p < .001), APACHE III (0.682 ± 0.024, p < .001), and PESI (0.624 ± 0.023, p < .001) scores.

CONCLUSIONS

The MELD-Albumin score is an easily calculable, reliable, and practical risk assessment tool and independent predictor of 30-day mortality in patients with high-risk APE.

Features of in-hospital clinical course of pulmonary embolism in patients of different age groups

Aim.To study the clinical course and management of patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) of various age groups hospitalized in a cardiology hospital.

Material and methods.This prospective single-center study in the period from 2016 to 2018 included 154 patients with PE verified by computed tomography. Statistical processing was conducted using the MedCalcVersion 16.2.1 software package (Softwa, Belgium).

Results.In all groups, female patients dominated, but the highest number of women (70,7%) belonged to the group of senile patients, while in the group <60 years, only half of patients with PE were women. Comorbid cardiovascular disease and deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed in eldest patients significantly more often than in those <60 years of age. The highest prevalence of cancer and recurrent PE were identified in the group of elderly patients. Thrombolytic therapy was performed most often in patients 60-75 years old, since these patients had a high risk of 30-day mortality according to Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index, but did not have severe comorbidities, as patients older than 75 years. An increase of right atrium size was found in the group of elderly and senile patients in comparison with patients <60 years. The highest pulmonary artery systolic and diastolic pressure was observed in the patients older than 75 years.

Conclusion.In the Kemerovo Oblast, PE most often develops in patients aged 60-75 years and is characterized by a more severe clinical course compared with patients younger than 60 years. Patients over the 60 years of age have severe cardiovascular comorbidity status, atrial fibrillation/flutter and recurrent PE. Surgical treatment for senile patients is limited due to the high risk of postoperative complications, which specifies high mortality. Patients <60 years of age are a third of all patients hospitalized with PE. They have a low risk of mortality, but have an unfavorable course of the hospital period.

Prognosis and risk factors in older patients with lung cancer and pulmonary embolism: a propensity score matching analysis

Older patients, especially those with malignancy, may have an increased risk of pulmonary embolism (PE). However, few studies have evaluated the clinical characteristics and prognosis of older patients. We evaluated the clinical characteristics, prognosis, and risk factors in older patients with lung cancer complicated with PE. This was a single-center, prospective cohort study. Older patients (≥65 years) with lung cancer admitted in Beijing Hospital from January 2006 to December 2016 were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of PE using propensity score matching (PSM). After PSM, one hundred and six patients (53 per group) with an average age of (77.3 ± 10.9) years were enrolled. Adenocarcinoma was the most common histology in patients with PE (52.8%, n = 28), and most lung cancer patients were in stages III and IV (59.4%, n = 63). Patients with PE were stratified to low risk (52.8%, n = 28), intermediate-low risk (24.5%, n = 13), intermediate-high risk (15.1%, n = 8), high-risk (7.5%, n = 4) subgroups. Most PE patients presented with dyspnea (75.5%), and the majority of patients (86.8%, n = 46) developed PE within 3 months after the diagnosis of cancer. The median follow-up time was 23.7 months (12.0-62.0 months), and 7 patients (6.6%) were lost to follow-up. During the follow-up period, 92 patients (86.8%) died, including 8 cases (8.7%) of PE-related death, 73 (79.3%) of tumor death, and 11 (11.9%) of unknown cause. There were significant differences in all-cause mortality (94.3% vs. 83.0%) and PE-related mortality (15.1% vs. 0) between the PE and control groups, but the rate of tumor-related mortality (75.5% vs. 66.0%) was comparable between the groups. Among the 92 patients who died, the mortality rates at 3, 6, 12, and > 12 months after tumor diagnosis were 33.0% (33/106), 57.5% (61/106), 78.3% (83/106), and 89.6% (95/106), respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the median overall survival time was significantly different between the PE and the control groups (4.3 vs. 9.2 months, P = 0.0015). Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥ 77 years (OR = 2.58, 95%CI: 1.66-4.01), clinical stage III-IV (OR = 2.21, 95%CI: 1.03-4.74), adenocarcinoma (OR = 3.24, 95%CI: 1.75-6.00), high D-dimer (≥600 mg/L) (OR = 2.73, 95%CI: 1.25-5.96), and low partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂; <75 mmHg) (OR = 2.85, 95%CI: 1.74-4.67) were independent risk factors for PE in older patients with lung cancer. Older patients with lung cancer and PE often have poor prognosis. Advanced age, clinical stage III-IV, adenocarcinoma, high D-dimer level, and low PaO₂ are independent risk factors for PE.

Assessment of quality of life, satisfaction with anticoagulation therapy, and adherence to treatment in patients receiving long-course vitamin K antagonists or direct oral anticoagulants for venous thromboembolism

INTRODUCTION

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have shown non-inferiority and ease of use compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). No study so far has been directed toward real-life experience of outpatients receiving anticoagulants for VTE in France.

METHODS

This is an observational descriptive real-life epidemiological study, using three validated questionnaires (Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8, EQ-5D, and part 2 of the Perception of Anticoagulant Treatment Questionnaire), to assess adherence, quality of life, and satisfaction in 100 VTE outpatients receiving anticoagulation therapy by VKA (primary or switched from DOAC to VKA) or by DOAC (primary or switched from VKA to DOAC).

RESULTS

Patients were very much satisfied with their treatment in both DOAC and VKA groups. Despite advantages of DOACs, therapeutic adherence was only moderate. The best adherence scores were observed in the primary VKA switched to DOAC for at least 3 months (S-DOAC) subgroup. Quality of life was better in the DOAC group mainly because of the absence of the requirement for blood testing. Most of the complaints concerned the pain/discomfort dimension in the VKA group and anxiety/depression dimension in the DOAC group.

CONCLUSION

Patients were satisfied with their anticoagulant treatment, especially when they were involved in choosing the anticoagulant, and the treatment suited them. Quality of life of patients in the DOAC group was better than in the VKA group, but adherence remains to be improved. This study highlights the importance of the physician-patient relationship, pretreatment initiation, and follow-up of any anticoagulation therapy throughout.

Thrombosis Related ABO, F5, MTHFR, and FGG Gene Polymorphisms in Morbidly Obese Patients

Objective. Obesity is a well-known risk factor for thrombotic complications. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of thrombosis related ABO, F5, MTHFR, and FGG gene polymorphisms in morbidly obese patients and compare them with the group of nonobese individuals. Methods. Gene polymorphisms were analyzed in 320 morbidly obese patients (BMI > 40 kg/m²) and 303 control individuals (BMI < 30 kg/m²) of European descent. ABO C>T (rs505922), F5 C>G (rs6427196), MTHFR C>T (rs1801133), and FGG C>T (rs6536024) SNPs were genotyped by RT-PCR. Results. We observed a tendency for MTHFR rs1801133 TT genotype to be linked with morbid obesity when compared to CC genotype; however, the difference did not reach the significant P value (OR 1.84, 95% CI 0.83–4.05, P = 0.129). Overall, the genotypes and alleles of rs505922, rs6427196, rs1801133, and rs6536024 SNPs had similar distribution between morbidly obese and nonobese control individuals. Distribution of height and weight means among individuals carrying different rs505922, rs6427196, rs1801133, and rs6536024 genotypes did not differ significantly. Conclusions. Gene polymorphisms ABO C>T (rs505922), F5 C>G (rs6427196), MTHFR C>T (rs1801133), and FGG C>T (rs6536024) were not associated with height, weight, or morbid obesity among European subjects.