Diagnostic accuracy of cardiopulmonary ultrasound for pulmonary embolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ERS International Congress 2023: highlights from the Respiratory Clinical Care and Physiology Assembly

It is a challenge to keep abreast of all the clinical and scientific advances in the field of respiratory medicine. This article contains an overview of laboratory-based science, clinical trials and qualitative research that were presented during the 2023 European Respiratory Society International Congress within the sessions from the five groups of Assembly 1 (Respiratory Clinical Care and Physiology). Selected presentations are summarised from a wide range of topics: clinical problems, rehabilitation and chronic care, general practice and primary care, electronic/mobile health (e-health/m-health), clinical respiratory physiology, exercise and functional imaging.

Point-of-care ultrasound improves clinical outcomes in patients with acute onset dyspnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The early, appropriate management of acute onset dyspnea is important but often challenging. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) versus conventional management on clinical outcomes in patients with acute onset dyspnea. The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and reference lists were searched to identify eligible trials (inception to October 14, 2021). There were no language restrictions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and prospective and retrospective cohort studies that compared PoCUS with conventional diagnostic modalities (controls) in patients with acute onset dyspnea were included. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. The primary study outcomes were time to diagnosis, time to treatment, and length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included rate of appropriate treatment, 30-day re-admission rate, and mortality. We included eight RCTs and six observational studies with a total of 5393 participants. Heterogeneity across studies was variable (from low to considerable), with overall low or moderate study quality and low or moderate risk of bias (except one article with serious risk of bias). Time to diagnosis (mean difference [MD], - 63 min; 95% CI, - 115 to - 11 min] and time to treatment (MD, - 27 min; 95% CI - 43 to - 11 min) were significantly shorter in the PoCUS group. In-hospital LOS showed no differences between the two groups, but LOS in the Intensive Care Unit (MD, - 1.27 days; - 1.94 to - 0.61 days) was significantly shorter in the PoCUS group. Patients in the PoCUS group showed significantly higher odds of receiving appropriate therapy compared to controls (odds ratio [OR], 2.31; 95% CI, 1.61-3.32), but there was no significant effect on 30-day re-admission rate and in-hospital or 30-day mortality. Our results indicate that PoCUS use contributes to early diagnosis and better outcomes compared to conventional methods in patients admitted with acute onset dyspnea.

Diagnostic test accuracy of imaging modalities for adults with acute pulmonary embolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the current literature on diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) of imaging modalities for adults with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

BACKGROUND

Medical imaging plays an integral role in evaluating and managing those with APE. Guidance for imaging modality use for APE diagnosis varies due to a lack of clinical standardisation. Despite this, CTPA remains the first-line imaging modality used by clinicians.

METHODS

A literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, Trove and Mednar databases (2012-2020; English language) was performed. Studies assessing the DTA of imaging modalities for APE diagnosis were included. DTA studies methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2 tool). Results of eligible studies were pooled using random or fixed effects modelling the calculate the pooled DTA of explored imaging modalities for APE. The Higgins I² test were performed to assess between study heterogeneity.

RESULTS

10 Studies, involving 998 participants, were enrolled and pooled using the random effects model. Of the explored modalities, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), specifically pulmonary MRI and magnetic resonance pulmonary angiography (MRPA) exhibited the highest pooled DTA. Sensitivity, specificity, negative likelihood ratio, positive likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio for MRPA were 0.952 (95% CI, 0.881 to 0.987), 0.857 (95% CI, 0.637 to 0.97), 5.631 (95% CI, 2.163 to 14.659), 0.06 (95% CI, 0.007 to 0.537) and 80.310 (95% CI, 15.607 to 413.25) respectively. Based on the QUADAS-2 criteria, most studies presented low to moderate risk of bias and concern regarding applicability.

CONCLUSION

The explored ultrasound and MRI protocols which exhibit a lower radiation burden when compared to the current gold standard computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), have acceptable diagnostic accuracy for APE and can be useful in certain situations.