Assessment of coexisting deep vein thrombosis for risk stratification of acute pulmonary embolism

Prevalence and clinical significance of deep vein thrombosis in Hispanic patients with acute pulmonary embolism

The prevalence of concomitant deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and its impact on 30-day outcomes in Hispanic patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is unknown. We retrospectively studied a cohort of Hispanic patients admitted for acute PE to determine the relationship of concomitant DVT to clot burden on chest computer tomography (CT), right heart strain, and 30-day mortality. We identified 391 patients admitted with acute PE; 168 (42.9%) had concomitant DVTs on admission; 39 patients (9.9%) died during the 30-day follow-up: 12 patients without concomitant DVT and 27 with concomitant DVT, respectively (p < .001). The presence of a proximal DVT independently predicted 30-day mortality even after adjusting for age, gender and admission PE severity index scores (PESI) (hazard ratio [HR] 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-3.0, p = .001). Proximal DVTs remained a significant predictor of 30-day mortality in patients with low and intermediate PESI scores (HR 2.5; 95% CI: 1.1-6.0, p = .035). The prevalence of concomitant DVT in Hispanic patients presenting with acute DVT is relatively lower than other ethnic groups. However, a proximal location of a DVT is of significant prognostic relevance. Hispanic patients with acute PE should routinely undergo compression doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) of the lower extremities.

Predictors of Residual Pulmonary Vascular Obstruction after Acute Pulmonary Embolism Based on Patient Variables and Treatment Modality

Background: Residual Pulmonary Vascular Obstruction (RPVO) is an area of increasing focus in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) due to its association with long-term morbidity and mortality. The predictive factors and the effect catheter-directed therapies (CDT) have on RPVO are still under investigation. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective review between April 2017 and July 2021. Patients with intermediate risk of PE were included. Patient variables associated with RPVO were analyzed and the degree of clot burden was quantified using the Qanadli score. Results: A total of 551 patients with acute PE were identified, 288 were intermediate risk and 53 had RPVO based on CT or V/Q scan three months post-PE. Baseline clot burden was higher in patients who received CDT compared to those who received anticoagulation alone (Qanadli score 45.88% vs. 31.94% p < 0.05). In univariate analysis, treatment with CDT showed a HR of 0.32 (95% CI 0.21-0.50, p < 0.001) when compared with anticoagulation alone. Patient variables including intermediate-high risk, sPESI ≥ 1, elevated biomarkers, RV dysfunction on imaging, malignancy, history of or concurrent DVT were also significantly associated with development of RPVO in univariate analysis. In multivariable analysis, only baseline Qanadli score (HR 13.88, 95% CI 1.42-135.39, p = 0.02) and concurrent DVT (HR 2.53, 95% CI 1.01-6.40, p = 0.04) were significantly associated with the development of RPVO. Conclusions: Catheter-directed therapy may be associated with a reduced risk of RPVO at 3 months; however, quantitative clot burden scores, such as the Qanadli score, may be stronger predictors of the risk of developing RPVO at 3 months. Further prospective studies are required.

Deep vein thrombosis symptoms and 30-day mortality in acute pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND

In patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE), the presence of concomitant lower-limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been associated with a higher mortality rate. The prognostic significance of DVT symptoms among these patients remains uncertain.

METHODS

We used the RIETE (Registro Informatizado de Enfermedad TromboEmbólica) registry to compare the 30-day mortality rate in patients with PE and concomitant lower-limb DVT, according to the presence or absence of DVT symptoms. Primary outcomes were all-cause death and PE-related death within the first 30 days.

RESULTS

Since March 2001 to June 2021, there were 17,742 patients with acute symptomatic PE and objectively proven concomitant lower-limb DVT. Of these, 11,984 (68%) had DVT symptoms. Most patients with or without DVT symptoms (82% vs. 81%) received low-molecular-weight heparin initially. Then, most (61% vs. 58%) switched to vitamin K antagonists. During the first 30 days of therapy, 497 patients with DVT symptoms (4.1%) and 164 (2.8%) with no DVT symptoms died (rate ratio [RR]: 1.48; 95%CI: 1.23-1.77). The rates of PE-related death were: 1.0% vs. 0.7%, respectively (RR: 1.50; 95%CI: 1.04-2.16). On multivariable analysis, patients with DVT symptoms were at increased risk for all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.49; 95%CI: 1.24-1.78), and PE-related death (aHR: 1.52; 95%CI: 1.05-2.20).

CONCLUSION

Among patients with acute symptomatic PE and concomitant lower-limb DVT, those with DVT symptoms had an increased all-cause and PE-related mortality within 30 days. Assessment of DVT symptoms would assist with risk stratification of these patients.

Concomitant Deep Vein Thrombosis in Cancer Patients with Unsuspected Pulmonary Embolism

Simple Summary

Cancer patients have a significantly higher risk of developing venous thromboembolism during their disease course when compared with the general population. During routine staging or follow-up imaging studies, incidental venous thromboemboli, including incidental pulmonary embolisms, can be identified. Identifying factors associated with incidental or unsuspected venous thromboembolism is important and can improve the management plan. In the current study, we found that 20.9% of patients with unsuspected pulmonary embolisms had concomitant deep vein thrombosis, and most of these patients were asymptomatic. In addition, we found that concomitant deep vein thrombosis increases the odds of venous thrombosis recurrence in cancer patients presenting with unsuspected pulmonary emboli. Therefore, for patients with isolated incidental subsegmental pulmonary embolism and concomitant deep vein thrombosis, initiating anticoagulants if no contraindications exist is recommended. In addition, the presence of concomitant deep vein thrombosis among cancer patients with unsuspected pulmonary embolisms is associated with poor short- and long-term outcomes in these patients.

Abstract

Incidental venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in cancer patients and identifying factors associated with these events can improve the management plan. We studied the characteristics of concomitant deep vein thrombosis (C-DVT) in cancer patients presenting with unsuspected pulmonary embolism (PE) and the association of C-DVT with VTE recurrence and survival outcomes. Patients presenting to our emergency department with confirmed unsuspected/incidental PE between 1 January 2006 and 1 January 2016, were identified. Radiologic reports were reviewed to confirm the presence or absence of C-DVT. Logistic regression analyses and cox regression modeling were used to determine the effect of C-DVT on VTE recurrence and survival outcomes. Of 904 eligible patients, 189 (20.9%) had C-DVT. Patients with C-DVT had twice the odds of developing VTE recurrence (odds ratio 2.07, 95% confidence interval 1.21–3.48, p = 0.007). The mortality rates among C-DVT were significantly higher than in patients without. C-DVT was associated with reduced overall survival in patients with unsuspected PE (hazard ratio 1.33, 95% confidence interval 1.09–1.63, p = 0.005). In conclusion, C-DVT in cancer patients who present with unsuspected PE is common and is associated with an increased risk of VTE recurrence and poor short- and long-term survival. Identifying other venous thrombi in cancer patients presenting with unsuspected PE is recommended and can guide the management plan. For patients with isolated incidental subsegmental pulmonary embolism and concomitant deep vein thrombosis, initiating anticoagulants if no contraindications exist is recommended.

Rapid prediction of adverse outcomes for acute normotensive pulmonary embolism: derivation of the Calgary Acute Pulmonary Embolism score

Background

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) has a wide spectrum of outcomes, but the best method to risk-stratify normotensive patients for adverse outcomes remains unclear.

Methods

A multicentre retrospective cohort study of acute PE patients admitted from emergency departments in Calgary, Canada, between 2012 and 2017 was used to develop a refined acute PE risk score. The composite primary outcome of in-hospital PE-related death or haemodynamic decompensation. The model was internally validated using bootstrapping and the prognostic value of the derived risk score was compared to the Bova score.

Results

Of 2067 patients with normotensive acute PE, the primary outcome (haemodynamic decompensation or PE-related death) occurred in 32 (1.5%) patients. In simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index high-risk patients (n=1498, 78%), a multivariable model used to predict the primary outcome retained computed tomography (CT) right–left ventricular diameter ratio ≥1.5, systolic blood pressure 90–100 mmHg, central pulmonary artery clot and heart rate ≥100 beats·min⁻¹ with a C-statistic of 0.89 (95% CI 0.82–0.93). Three risk groups were derived using a weighted score (score, prevalence, primary outcome event rate): group 1 (0–3, 73.8%, 0.34%), group 2 (4–6, 17.6%, 5.8%), group 3 (7–9, 8.7%, 12.8%) with a C-statistic 0.85 (95% CI 0.78–0.91). In comparison the prevalence (primary outcome) by Bova risk stages (n=1179) were stage I 49.8% (0.2%); stage II 31.9% (2.7%); and stage III 18.4% (7.8%) with a C-statistic 0.80 (95% CI 0.74–0.86).

Conclusions

A simple four-variable risk score using clinical data immediately available after CT diagnosis of acute PE predicts in-hospital adverse outcomes. External validation of the Calgary Acute Pulmonary Embolism score is required.

Derivation of a simple four-variable risk score that uses parameters available at the time of PE diagnosis to risk stratify acute normotensive PE patients, which may help clinicians better decide how to monitor and treat patientshttps://bit.ly/37PdyrM

Impact of no, distal, and proximal deep vein thrombosis on clinical outcomes in patients with acute pulmonary embolism: From the COMMAND VTE registry

BACKGROUND

The majority of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is caused by thrombus developed from leg veins. However, impact of concomitant deep venous thrombosis (DVT) on clinical outcomes has not been fully evaluated in patients with acute PE.

METHODS

The COMMAND VTE Registry is a multicenter registry enrolling consecutive 3027 patients with acute symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) in Japan. The current study population consisted of 655 acute PE patients who underwent lower extremities ultrasound examination at diagnosis for the assessment of concomitant DVT status.

RESULTS

There were 424 patients with proximal DVT (64.7%), 162 patients with distal DVT (24.7%), and 69 patients with no DVT (10.5%). The cumulative 90-day incidence of all-cause death was higher in proximal DVT patients than in distal DVT and no DVT patients (7.9%, 2.5%, and 1.4%, p = 0.01). Regarding the causes of death, the cumulative 90-day incidence of PE-related death was low, and not significantly different across the 3 groups (1.4%, 0.6%, and 1.7%, p = 0.62). The most frequent cause of death was cancer in proximal and distal DVT patients. There were no significant differences in 90-day rates of recurrent VTE and major bleeding, regardless of the status of concomitant DVT (2.9%, 3.2%, and 2.2%, p = 0.79, and 1.5%, 4.4%, and 4.9%, p = 0.46, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Acute PE with proximal DVT at diagnosis was associated with a higher risk for short-term mortality than in patients without DVT, while the risk for short-term mortality was not significantly different between distal DVT patients and patients without DVT.

Association between risk stratification for pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis of lower extremities

BACKGROUND

The association of clinical risk factors, in particular deep vein thrombosis (DVT), with risk stratification for pulmonary embolism (PE) remains to be identified. We therefore aimed to establish the relationship between risk stratification of PE patients and DVT of lower extremities.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 93 out of 485 PE patients with uncompleted clinical data were excluded, resulting in 392 patients included for analysis. Based on the ESC criteria, 24, 171, and 197 patients were categorized into high (6.1%), intermediate (43.6%), and low risk (50.3%) subgroups, respectively.

RESULTS

DVT was detected in 304 patients (77.6%). The incidence of DVT in patients with high and intermediate risk PE was much lower than in those patients with low risk PE (67.2% vs 87.8%, P < .0001). Further analyses of the 304 patients with DVT showed higher incidence of high and intermediate risk PE in patients with isolated distal DVT than proximal DVT (59.0% vs 39.1%, P = .005), with asymptomatic DVT than symptomatic DVT (63.0% vs 36.8%, P < .0001), and with bilateral DVT than unilateral DVT (54.5% vs 39.9%, P = .03). Stepwise logistic regression showed that symptomatic or asymptomatic DVT was an independent risk factor for risk stratification of PE patients with DVT (0.320, 95% confidence interval, 0.186-0.550).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with high and intermediate risk PE presented lower incidence of DVT compared with patients with low risk PE. In PE patients with comorbid DVT, asymptomatic DVT is an independent risk factor for high and intermediate risk of PE.

Pulmonary Embolism and Coexisting Deep Vein Thrombosis: A Detrimental Association?

Background: The prognostic significance of coexisting deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is controversial. This study aimed to provide routine patient care data on the impact of this association on PE severity and 3-month outcomes in a population presenting with symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) from the REMOTEV registry. Methods and Results: REMOTEV is a prospective, non-interventional study of patients with acute symptomatic VTE, treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) or standard anticoagulation (vitamin K antagonists (VKA) or parenteral heparin/fondaparinux alone) for at least 3 months. From 1 November 2013 to 28 February 2018, among 1241 consecutive patients included, 1192 had a follow-up of at least 3 months and, among them, 1037 had PE with (727) or without DVT (310). The median age was 69 (55–80, 25th–75th percentiles). Patients with PE-associated DVT had more severe forms of PE (p < 0.0001) and, when DVT was present, proximal location was significantly correlated to PE severity (p < 0.01). However, no difference in all-cause mortality rate (hazard ratio (HR) 1.36 (CI 95% 0.69–2.92)), nor in the composite criterion of all-cause mortality and recurrence rate (HR 1.56 (CI 95% 0.83–3.10)) was noted at 3 months of follow-up. Conclusion: In REMOTEV, coexisting DVT was associated with a higher severity of PE, with no impact on short-term prognosis.

Prevalence and Predictors of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Critically Ill Medical Patients Who Underwent Diagnostic Duplex Ultrasonography

INTRODUCTION

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a recognized but preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the medical intensive care unit (MICU). We examined the prevalence and risk factors for DVT in MICU patients who underwent diagnostic venous duplex ultrasonography (DUS) and the potential effect on clinical outcomes.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study examining prevalence of DVT in 678 consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary care level academic MICU from July 2014 to 2015. Patients who underwent diagnostic DUS were included. Potential conditions of interest were mechanical ventilation, hemodialysis, sepsis, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, central venous catheters, prior DVT, and malignancy. Primary outcomes were pulmonary embolism, ICU length of stay, and mortality. Additionally, means of thromboprophylaxis was compared between the groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was utilized to determine predictors of DVT occurrence.

RESULTS

Of the 678 patients, 243 (36%) patients underwent DUS to evaluate for DVT. The prevalence of DVT was 16% (38) among tested patients, and a prior history of DVT was associated with DVT prevalence (P < .01). Between cases and controls, there were no significant differences in central venous catheters, mechanical ventilation, hemodialysis, sepsis, SOFA scores, malignancy, and recent surgery. Patients receiving chemical prophylaxis had fewer DVTs compared to persons with no prophylaxis (14% vs 29%; P = .01) and persons with dual chemical and mechanical prophylaxis (P = 0.1). Fourteen percent of patients tested had documented DVT while on chemoprophylaxis. There were no significant differences in ICU length of stay (P = .35) or mortality (P = .34).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the appropriate use of universal thromboprophylaxis, critically ill nonsurgical patients still demonstrated high rates of DVT. A history of DVT was the sole predictor for development of proximal DVT on DUS testing. Dual chemical and mechanical prophylaxis does not appear to be superior to single-chemical prophylaxis in DVT prevention in this population.

Nephrotic syndrome with acute pulmonary embolism in young adults: Two case reports

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is often misdiagnosed, or the diagnosis is delayed because of its diverse clinical manifestations, it may even remain asymptomatic until sudden death. Most risk factors are not associated with young people, and there is a paucity of literature regarding PE in children and young adults.

CASE PRESENTATION

Patient 1 who died was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome more than 10 years before. He presented to a clinic with gradually worsening dyspnea, which was initially misdiagnosed as myocarditis. Patient 2 presented with sudden shortness of breath after treatment for nephrotic syndrome. His PE was quickly diagnosed, allowing prompt initiation of anticoagulant therapy. At follow-up 30 days after hospital discharge, his symptoms had disappeared, and his abnormal laboratory results had returned to almost normal.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis and treatment of the above 2 patients suggest that the possible occurrence of PE in a young person with nephrotic syndrome should not be ignored. The early diagnosis and delayed diagnosis will have different clinical outcomes.