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Scott IA, Crock C, Twining M. Too much versus too little: looking for the "sweet spot" in optimal use of diagnostic investigations. Med J Aust 2024; 220:67-70. [PMID: 38146617 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian A Scott
- Centre for Health Services Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD
| | - Carmel Crock
- Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, VIC
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Scott IA, Slavotinek J, Glasziou PP. First do no harm in responding to incidental imaging findings. Med J Aust 2024; 220:7-9. [PMID: 38009654 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian A Scott
- Centre for Health Services Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD
- Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD
| | | | - Paul P Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD
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Perelas A, Kirincich J, Yadav R, Ennala S, Wang X, Sadana D, Duggal A, Krishnan S. Diagnostic Yield, Radiation Exposure, and the Role of Clinical Decision Rules to Limit Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiography-Associated Complications. J Patient Saf 2023; 19:532-538. [PMID: 37883056 DOI: 10.1097/pts.0000000000001167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CT-PA) is associated with significant cost, contrast, and radiation exposure. Clinical decision rules (CDRs) reduce the need for diagnostic imaging; however, their utility in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) remains unknown. We explored the diagnostic yield and complications associated with CT-PA (radiation exposure and contrast-induced acute kidney injury [AKI]) while investigating the efficacy of CDRs to reduce unnecessary testing. METHODS All CT-PAs performed in an academic MICU for 4 years were retrospectively reviewed. The Wells and revised Geneva scores (CDRs) and radiation dose per CT-PA were calculated, and the incidence of post-CT-PA AKI was recorded. RESULTS A total of 439 studies were analyzed; the diagnostic yield was 11% (48 PEs). Positive CT-PAs were associated with a higher Wells score (5.8 versus 3.2, P < 0.001), but similar revised Geneva scores (6.4 versus 6.0, P = 0.32). A Wells score of ≥4 had a positive likelihood ratio of 2.1 with a negative predictive value of 98.2. More than half (88.9%) of patients with a Wells score of ≤4 developed an AKI, with 55.6% of those having recovery of renal function. CONCLUSIONS There is overutilization of CT-PA in the MICU. The Wells score retains its negative predictive value in critically ill adult patients and may aid to limit radiation exposure and contrast-induced AKI in MICU.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Xiaofeng Wang
- Quantitative Health Sciences Department, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
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Truong P, Mazzolai L, Font C, Ciammaichella M, González-Martínez J, Tufano A, Gavín-Sebastián O, Le Mao R, Monreal M, Hugli O. Safety of the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria rule: Findings from the Registro Informatizado de la Enfermedad TromboEmbolica venosa (RIETE) registry. Acad Emerg Med 2023; 30:935-945. [PMID: 37092646 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnostic strategy for pulmonary embolism (PE) includes a D-dimer test when PE probability is low or intermediate, but false-positive D-dimer results are frequent and can result in an unnecessary computed tomography pulmonary angiogram. The PE rule-out criteria (PERC) rule excludes PE without D-dimer testing when pretest probability is <15%. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of the PERC rule strategy in patients included in the Registro Informatizado de la Enfermedad TromboEmbolica venosa (RIETE) registry. METHODS This retrospective cohort study used data from the RIETE registry, an ongoing, international prospective registry of patients with objectively confirmed venous thromboembolism. The primary outcome was the failure rate of the PERC strategy, represented by the proportion of PERC-negative (PERC-N) patients with a PE included in the registry. Secondary outcomes were a comparison of the clinical characteristics, treatment strategy, and outcome of PERC-N versus PERC-positive (PERC-P) patients at 3 months. RESULTS From 2001 to 2021, a total of 49,793 patients with acute PE were enrolled in the RIETE registry. We included 48,903 in the final analysis after exclusion of 890 patients with an undetermined PERC status. Only 346 patients were PERC-N with a failure rate of 0.7% (95% confidence interval 0.6%-0.8%). PERC-N patients presented more frequently with chest pain but less often with dyspnea, syncope, or hypotension. They also had subsegmental or segmental PE more frequently, were more often treated with direct oral anticoagulants, and received mechanical or pharmacological thrombolysis less often. In addition, PERC-N patients had a lower incidence of recurrent deep vein thrombosis, major bleeding, and death attributed to PE during the 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS A low failure rate of the PERC rule was observed in the RIETE registry, thus supporting its use to safely identify patients with an unlikely probability of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perrine Truong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lucia Mazzolai
- Department of Angiology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Carme Font
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - José González-Martínez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Althaia, Manresa, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonella Tufano
- Regional Reference Centre, Federico II University Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Olga Gavín-Sebastián
- Department of Haematology, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Raphael Le Mao
- Department of Internal Medicine, CHRU Brest, Brest, France
| | - Manuel Monreal
- Faculty of Health Sciences, UCAM-Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Olivier Hugli
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Wikan VE, Tøndel BG, Morelli VM, Brodin EE, Brækkan SK, Hansen JB. Diagnostic Blood Biomarkers for Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Systematic Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2301. [PMID: 37443693 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13132301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The current diagnostic algorithm for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with the overuse of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA). An additional highly specific blood test could potentially lower the proportion of patients with suspected PE that require CTPA. The aim was to summarize the literature on the diagnostic performance of biomarkers of patients admitted to an emergency department with suspected acute PE. (2) Methods: Medline and Embase databases were searched from 1995 to the present. The study selection process, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were conducted by two reviewers. Eligibility criteria accepted all blood biomarkers except D-dimer, and CTPA was used as the reference standard. Qualitative data synthesis was performed. (3) Results: Of the 8448 identified records, only 6 were included. Eight blood biomarkers were identified, of which, three were investigated in two separate studies. Red distribution width and mean platelet volume were reported to have a specificity of ≥ 90% in one study, although these findings were not confirmed by other studies. The majority of the studies contained a high risk of selection bias. (4) Conclusions: The modest findings and the uncertain validity of the included studies suggest that none of the biomarkers identified in this systematic review have the potential to improve the current diagnostic algorithm for acute PE by reducing the overuse of CTPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vårin Eiriksdatter Wikan
- Thrombosis Research Group (TREC), Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Birgitte Gladsø Tøndel
- Thrombosis Research Group (TREC), Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Vânia Maris Morelli
- Thrombosis Research Group (TREC), Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Thrombosis Research Center (TREC), Division of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ellen Elisabeth Brodin
- Hematological Research Group, Division of Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, N-1478 Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Sigrid Kufaas Brækkan
- Thrombosis Research Group (TREC), Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Thrombosis Research Center (TREC), Division of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway
| | - John-Bjarne Hansen
- Thrombosis Research Group (TREC), Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Thrombosis Research Center (TREC), Division of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway
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Xie M, Liu Y, Zheng H, Gao X, Liu R. Serum metabolic signatures for acute pulmonary embolism identified by untargeted metabolomics. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1169038. [PMID: 37332756 PMCID: PMC10272531 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1169038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims The important metabolic features of acute pulmonary embolism (APE) risk stratification and their underlying biological basis remain elusive. Our study aims to develop early diagnostic models and classification models by analyzing the plasma metabolic profile of patients with APE. Materials and methods Serum samples were collected from 68 subjects, including 19 patients with confirmed APE, 35 patients with confirmed NSTEMI, and 14 healthy individuals. A comprehensive metabolic assessment was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based on an untargeted metabolomics approach. In addition, an integrated machine learning strategy based on LASSO and logistic regression was used for feature selection and model building. Results The metabolic profiles of patients with acute pulmonary embolism and NSTEMI is significantly altered relative to that of healthy individuals. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed differential metabolites between acute pulmonary embolism and healthy individuals mainly involving glycerophosphate shuttle, riboflavin metabolism, and glycerolipid metabolism. A panel of biomarkers was defined to distinguish acute pulmonary embolism, NSTEMI, and healthy individuals with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve exceeding 0.9 and higher than that of D-dimers. Conclusion This study contributes to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of APE and facilitates the discovery of new therapeutic targets. The metabolite panel can be used as a potential non-invasive diagnostic and risk stratification tool for APE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Xie
- North China Petroleum Bureau General Hospital, Renqiu, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Binjiang District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoli Gao
- North China Petroleum Bureau General Hospital, Renqiu, China
| | - Ran Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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Thurlow LE, Van Dam PJ, Prior SJ, Tran V. How Tasmanian Emergency Departments 'Choose Wisely' When Investigating Suspected Pulmonary Embolism. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11111599. [PMID: 37297739 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11111599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Overuse of computed tomography pulmonary angiograms (CTPAs) for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) has been recognised as an issue for over ten years, with Choosing Wisely Australia recommending that CTPAs only be ordered if indicated by a clinical practice guideline (CPG). This study aimed to explore the use of evidence-based practice within regional Tasmanian emergency departments in relation to CTPA orders by determining whether CTPAs were ordered in accordance with validated CPGs. We conducted a retrospective medical record review of all patients who underwent CTPA across all public emergency departments in Tasmania between 1 August 2018 and 31 December 2019 inclusive. Data from 2758 CTPAs across four emergency departments were included. PE was reported in 343 (12.4%) of CTPAs conducted, with yield ranging from 8.2% to 16.1% between the four sites. Overall, 52.1% of participants had neither a CPG documented, nor a D-dimer conducted before their scan. A CPG was documented before 11.8% of scans, while D-dimer was conducted before 43% of CTPAs. The findings presented in this study indicate that Tasmanian emergency departments are not consistently 'Choosing Wisely' when investigating PE. Further research is required to identify explanations for these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Thurlow
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Pieter J Van Dam
- School of Nursing, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Burnie, TAS 7320, Australia
| | - Sarah J Prior
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Burnie, TAS 7320, Australia
| | - Viet Tran
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
- Emergency Department, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
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Kharawala A, Seo J, Barzallo D, Romero GH, Demirhan YE, Duarte GJ, Vegivinti CTR, Hache-Marliere M, Balasubramanian P, Santos HT, Nagraj S, Alhuarrat MAD, Karamanis D, Varrias D, Palaiodimos L. Assessment of the Utilization of Validated Diagnostic Predictive Tools and D-Dimer in the Evaluation of Pulmonary Embolism: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study from a Public Hospital in New York City. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12113629. [PMID: 37297824 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12113629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A significant increase in the use of computed tomography with pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) has been observed in the past twenty years. We aimed to investigate whether the validated diagnostic predictive tools and D-dimers were adequately utilized in a large public hospital in New York City. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent CTPA for the specific indication of ruling out PE over a period of one year. Two independent reviewers, blinded to each other and to the CTPA and D-dimer results, estimated the clinical probability (CP) of PE using Well's score, the YEARS algorithm, and the revised Geneva score. Patients were classified based on the presence or absence of PE in the CTPA. RESULTS A total of 917 patients were included in the analysis (median age: 57 years, female: 59%). The clinical probability of PE was considered low by both independent reviewers in 563 (61.4%), 487 (55%), and 184 (20.1%) patients based on Well's score, the YEARS algorithm, and the revised Geneva score, respectively. D-dimer testing was conducted in less than half of the patients who were deemed to have low CP for PE by both independent reviewers. Using a D-dimer cut-off of <500 ng/mL or the age-adjusted cut-off in patients with a low CP of PE would have missed only a small number of mainly subsegmental PE. All three tools, when combined with D-dimer < 500 ng/mL or <age-adjusted cut-off, yielded a NPV of > 95%. CONCLUSION All three validated diagnostic predictive tools were found to have significant diagnostic value in ruling out PE when combined with a D-dimer cut-off of <500 ng/mL or the age-adjusted cut-off. Excessive use of CTPA was likely secondary to suboptimal use of diagnostic predictive tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrin Kharawala
- Department of Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jiyoung Seo
- Department of Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Diego Barzallo
- Department of Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Gabriel Hernandez Romero
- Department of Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Yunus Emre Demirhan
- Department of Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Gustavo J Duarte
- Department of Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Charan Thej Reddy Vegivinti
- Department of Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Manuel Hache-Marliere
- Department of Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Prasanth Balasubramanian
- Department of Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Heitor Tavares Santos
- Department of Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Sanjana Nagraj
- Department of Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Majd Al Deen Alhuarrat
- Department of Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Dimitrios Karamanis
- Department of Economics, University of Piraeus, 18534 Attica, Greece
- Department of Health Informatics, Rutgers School of Health Professions, Newark, NJ 07107, USA
| | - Dimitrios Varrias
- Department of Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Leonidas Palaiodimos
- Department of Medicine, New York City Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- School of Medicine, City University of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
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Smith P, Rosell A, Farm M, Bruzelius M, Aguilera Gatica K, Mackman N, Odeberg J, Thålin C. Markers of neutrophil activation and neutrophil extracellular traps in diagnosing patients with acute venous thromboembolism: A feasibility study based on two VTE cohorts. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270865. [PMID: 35901107 PMCID: PMC9333265 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) diagnosis would greatly benefit from the identification of novel biomarkers to complement D-dimer, a marker limited by low specificity. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been shown to promote thrombosis and could hypothetically be used for diagnosis of acute VTE. Objectives To assess the levels of specific markers of neutrophil activation and NETs and compare their diagnostic accuracy to D-dimer. Methods We measured plasma levels of neutrophil activation marker neutrophil elastase (NE), the NET marker nucleosomal citrullinated histone H3 (H3Cit-DNA) and cell-free DNA in patients (n = 294) with suspected VTE (pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis) as well as healthy controls (n = 30). A total of 112 VTE positive and 182 VTE negative patients from two prospective cohort studies were included. Results Higher levels of H3Cit-DNA and NE, but not cell-free DNA, were associated with VTE. Area under receiver operating curves (AUC) were 0.90 and 0.93 for D-dimer, 0.65 and 0.68 for NE and 0.60 and 0.67 for H3Cit-DNA in the respective cohorts. Adding NE and H3Cit-DNA to a D-dimer based risk model did not improve AUC. Conclusions Our study demonstrates the presence of neutrophil activation and NET formation in VTE using specific markers. However, the addition of NE or H3Cit-DNA to D-dimer did not improve the discrimination compared to D-dimer alone. This study provides information on the feasibility of using markers of NETs as diagnostic tools in acute VTE. Based on our findings, we believe the potential of these markers are limited in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Smith
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Theme of Emergency and Reparative Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Axel Rosell
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Farm
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Bruzelius
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Coagulation Unit, Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katherina Aguilera Gatica
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nigel Mackman
- UNC Blood Research Center, Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jacob Odeberg
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Coagulation Unit, Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Protein Science, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Division of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway (UNN), Tromsø, Norway
| | - Charlotte Thålin
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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Kauppi JM, Airaksinen KEJ, Saha J, Bondfolk A, Pouru JP, Purola P, Jaakkola S, Lehtonen J, Vasankari T, Juonala M, Kiviniemi T. Adherence to risk-assessment protocols to guide computed tomography pulmonary angiography in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL. QUALITY OF CARE & CLINICAL OUTCOMES 2022; 8:461-468. [PMID: 33725123 PMCID: PMC9170567 DOI: 10.1093/ehjqcco/qcab020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The use of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in the detection of pulmonary embolism (PE) has considerably increased due developing technology and better availability of imaging. The underuse of pre-test probability scores and overuse of CTPA has been previously reported. We sought to investigate the indications for CTPA at a University Hospital emergency clinic and seek for factors eliciting the potential overuse of CTPA. METHODS AND RESULTS Altogether 1001 patients were retrospectively collected and analysed from the medical records using a structured case report form. PE was diagnosed in 222/1001 (22.2%) of patients. Patients with PE had more often prior PE/deep vein thrombosis, bleeding/thrombotic diathesis and less often asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, or decompensated heart failure. Patients were divided into three groups based on Wells PE risk-stratification score and two groups based on the revised Geneva score. A total of 9/382 (2.4%), 166/527 (31.5%), and 47/92 (52.2%) patients had PE in the CTPA in the low, intermediate, and high pre-test likelihood groups according to Wells score, and 200/955 (20.9%) and 22/46 (47.8%) patients had PE in the CTPA in the low-intermediate and the high pre-test likelihood groups according to the revised Geneva score, respectively. D-dimer was only measured from 568/909 (62.5%) and 597/955 (62.5%) patients who were either in the low or the intermediate-risk group according to Wells score and the revised Geneva score. Noteworthy, 105/1001 (10.5%) and 107/1001 (10.7%) of the CTPAs were inappropriately ordered according to the Wells score and the revised Geneva score. Altogether 168/1001 (16.8%) could theoretically be avoided. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights scant utilization of guideline-recommended risk-stratification tools in CTPA use at the emergency department.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juha Matias Kauppi
- Emergency Clinic, Turku University Hospital, Savitehtaankatu 1, 20540 Turku, Finland
| | | | - Juuso Saha
- University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland
| | | | | | | | - Samuli Jaakkola
- Heart Centre, Turku University Hospital, 20521 Turku, Finland
| | - Jarmo Lehtonen
- Emergency Clinic, Turku University Hospital, Savitehtaankatu 1, 20540 Turku, Finland
| | - Tuija Vasankari
- Heart Centre, Turku University Hospital, 20521 Turku, Finland
| | - Markus Juonala
- Department of Medicine, University of Turku, FI-20521, Finland
- Division of Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku FI-20521, Finland
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Kjelle E, Andersen ER, Krokeide AM, Soril LJJ, van Bodegom-Vos L, Clement FM, Hofmann BM. Characterizing and quantifying low-value diagnostic imaging internationally: a scoping review. BMC Med Imaging 2022; 22:73. [PMID: 35448987 PMCID: PMC9022417 DOI: 10.1186/s12880-022-00798-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inappropriate and wasteful use of health care resources is a common problem, constituting 10-34% of health services spending in the western world. Even though diagnostic imaging is vital for identifying correct diagnoses and administrating the right treatment, low-value imaging-in which the diagnostic test confers little to no clinical benefit-is common and contributes to inappropriate and wasteful use of health care resources. There is a lack of knowledge on the types and extent of low-value imaging. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to identify, characterize, and quantify the extent of low-value diagnostic imaging examinations for adults and children. METHODS A scoping review of the published literature was performed. Medline-Ovid, Embase-Ovid, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies published from 2010 to September 2020. The search strategy was built from medical subject headings (Mesh) for Diagnostic imaging/Radiology OR Health service misuse/Medical overuse OR Procedures and Techniques Utilization/Facilities and Services Utilization. Articles in English, German, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, or Norwegian were included. RESULTS A total of 39,986 records were identified and, of these, 370 studies were included in the final synthesis. Eighty-four low-value imaging examinations were identified. Imaging of atraumatic pain, routine imaging in minor head injury, trauma, thrombosis, urolithiasis, after thoracic interventions, fracture follow-up and cancer staging/follow-up were the most frequently identified low-value imaging examinations. The proportion of low-value imaging varied between 2 and 100% inappropriate or unnecessary examinations. CONCLUSIONS A comprehensive list of identified low-value radiological examinations for both adults and children are presented. Future research should focus on reasons for low-value imaging utilization and interventions to reduce the use of low-value imaging internationally. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO: CRD42020208072.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin Kjelle
- Institute for the Health Sciences, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) at Gjøvik, NTNU Gjøvik, Postbox 191, 2802, Gjøvik, Norway.
| | - Eivind Richter Andersen
- Institute for the Health Sciences, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) at Gjøvik, NTNU Gjøvik, Postbox 191, 2802, Gjøvik, Norway
| | - Arne Magnus Krokeide
- Institute for the Health Sciences, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) at Gjøvik, NTNU Gjøvik, Postbox 191, 2802, Gjøvik, Norway
| | - Lesley J J Soril
- Department of Community Health Sciences and The Health Technology Assessment Unit, O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Leti van Bodegom-Vos
- Medical Decision Making, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Fiona M Clement
- Department of Community Health Sciences and The Health Technology Assessment Unit, O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Bjørn Morten Hofmann
- Institute for the Health Sciences, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) at Gjøvik, NTNU Gjøvik, Postbox 191, 2802, Gjøvik, Norway
- Centre of Medical Ethics, The University of Oslo, Blindern, Postbox 1130, 0318, Oslo, Norway
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12
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Zhang NJ, Rameau P, Julemis M, Liu Y, Solomon J, Khan S, McGinn T, Richardson S. Automated Pulmonary Embolism Risk Assessment Using the Wells Criteria: Validation Study. JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e32230. [PMID: 35225812 PMCID: PMC8922138 DOI: 10.2196/32230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is frequently used in the emergency department (ED) for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE), while posing risk for contrast-induced nephropathy and radiation-induced malignancy. Objective We aimed to create an automated process to calculate the Wells score for pulmonary embolism for patients in the ED, which could potentially reduce unnecessary CTPA testing. Methods We designed an automated process using electronic health records data elements, including using a combinatorial keyword search method to query free-text fields, and calculated automated Wells scores for a sample of all adult ED encounters that resulted in a CTPA study for PE at 2 tertiary care hospitals in New York, over a 2-month period. To validate the automated process, the scores were compared to those derived from a 2-clinician chart review. Results A total of 202 ED encounters resulted in a completed CTPA to form the retrospective study cohort. Patients classified as “PE likely” by the automated process (126/202, 62%) had a PE prevalence of 15.9%, whereas those classified as “PE unlikely” (76/202, 38%; Wells score >4) had a PE prevalence of 7.9%. With respect to classification of the patient as “PE likely,” the automated process achieved an accuracy of 92.1% when compared with the chart review, with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 93%, 90.5%, 94.4%, and 88.2%, respectively. Conclusions This was a successful development and validation of an automated process using electronic health records data elements, including free-text fields, to classify risk for PE in ED visits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yan Liu
- Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | | | - Sundas Khan
- Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
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13
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Simos P, Scott I. Appropriate use of transthoracic echocardiography in the investigation of general medicine patients presenting with syncope or presyncope. Postgrad Med J 2022; 99:postgradmedj-2021-141416. [PMID: 35169024 DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2021-141416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
STUDY PURPOSE Routine transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in patients with syncope or presyncope is resource-intensive. We assessed if risk thresholds defined by a validated risk score may identify patients at low risk of cardiac abnormality in whom TTE is unnecessary. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a retrospective study of all general medicine patients with syncope/presyncope presenting to a tertiary hospital between July 2016 and September 2020 and who underwent TTE. The Canadian Syncope Risk Score (CSRS) was used to categorise patients as low to very low risk (score -3 to 0) or moderate to high risk (score ≥1) for serious adverse events at 30 days. A cut-point of 0 was used to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) for CSRS and the odds ratio (OR) of a clinically significant finding on TTE in patients with CSRS ≥1 compared with all patients. RESULTS Among 157 patients, the CSRS categorised 69 (44%) as very low to low risk in whom TTE was normal. In 88 patients deemed moderate to high risk, TTE detected a cardiac abnormality in 24 (27%). A CSRS ≥1 yielded a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI 85.7% to 100%), specificity of 51.1% (95% CI 42.3% to 59.8%), PPV of 26.5% (95% CI 26.3% to 30.1%) and NPV of 100% (95% CI 92.5% to 100%) for cardiac abnormalities and doubled the odds of an abnormality (OR=2.05, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.87, p=0.028). CONCLUSION In general medicine patients with syncope/presyncope, using the CSRS to stratify risk of a cardiac abnormality on TTE can almost halve TTE use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Simos
- Internal Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ian Scott
- Internal Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia .,School of Clinical Medicine, University of Queensland Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, Herston, Queensland, Australia
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14
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Prentice D, Wipke-Tevis DD. Adherence to Best Practice Advice for Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism. CLIN NURSE SPEC 2021; 36:52-61. [PMID: 34843194 DOI: 10.1097/nur.0000000000000642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study evaluated clinician adherence to the American College of Physicians Best Practice Advice for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. DESIGN A prospective, single-center, descriptive design was utilized. METHODS A heterogeneous sample of 111 hemodynamically stable adult inpatients with a computed tomography pulmonary angiogram ordered was consented. Electronic medical records were reviewed for demographic and clinical variables to determine adherence. The 6 individual best practice statements and the overall adherence were evaluated by taking the sum of "yes" answers divided by the sample size. RESULTS Overall adherence was 0%. Partial adherence was observed with clinician-recorded clinical decisions rules and obtaining d-dimer (3.6% [4/111] and 10.2% [9/88], respectively) of low/intermediate probability scorers. Age adjustment of d-dimer was not recorded. Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram was the first diagnostic test in 89.7% (79/88) in low/intermediate probability patients. CONCLUSION In hemodynamically stable, hospitalized adults, adherence to best practice guidelines for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism was minimal. Clinical utility of the guidelines in hospitalized adults needs further evaluation. Systems problems (eg, lack of standardized orders, age-adjusted d-dimer values, information technology support) likely contributed to poor guideline adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna Prentice
- Author Affiliations: Research Scientist, Department of Research for Patient Care Services, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St Louis, Missouri (Dr Prentice); and Associate Professor, Interim Assistant Dean of Research, and PhD Program Director, Sinclair School of Nursing at the University of Missouri, Columbia (Dr Wipke-Tevis)
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15
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Ehrman RR, Malik AN, Smith RK, Kalarikkal Z, Huang A, King RM, Green RD, O'Neil BJ, Sherwin RL. Serial use of existing clinical decisions aids can reduce computed tomography pulmonary angiography for pulmonary embolism. Intern Emerg Med 2021; 16:2251-2259. [PMID: 33742340 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-021-02703-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a diagnostic challenge in emergency medicine. Clinical decision aids (CDAs) like the Pulmonary Embolism Rule-Out Criteria (PERC) are sensitive but poorly specific; serial CDA use may improve specificity. The goal of this before-and-after study was to determine if serial use of existing CDAs in a novel diagnostic algorithm safely decreases the use of CT pulmonary angiograms (CTPA). This was a retrospective before-and-after study conducted at an urban ED with 105,000 annual visits. Our algorithm uses PERC, Wells' score, and D-dimer in series, before moving to CTPA. The algorithm was introduced in January, 2017. Use of CDAs and D-dimer in the 24 months pre- and 12 months post-intervention were obtained by chart review. The algorithm's effect on CTPA ordering was assessed by comparing volume 5 years pre- and 3 years post-intervention, adjusted for ED volume. Mean CTPAs per 1000 adult ED visits was 11.1 in the 5 pre-intervention years and 9.9 in the 3 post-intervention years (p < 0.0001). Use of PERC, Wells' score and D-dimer increased from 1.1%, 1.1%, and 28% to 8.8% (p = 0.0002) 8.1% (p = 0.0005), and 35% (p = 0.0066), respectively. Pre-intervention, there were six potentially missed PEs compared to three in the post-intervention period. Introduction of our serial CDA diagnostic algorithm was associated with increased use of CDAs and D-dimer and reduced CTPA rate without an apparent increase in the number of missed PEs. Prospective validation is needed to confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Russell Ehrman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Detroit Medical Center/Sinai-Grace Hospital, 4201 St. Antoine, Suite 6G, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Adrienne Nicole Malik
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Detroit Medical Center/Sinai-Grace Hospital, 4201 St. Antoine, Suite 6G, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Reid Kenneth Smith
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Detroit Medical Center/Sinai-Grace Hospital, 4201 St. Antoine, Suite 6G, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Zeid Kalarikkal
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Detroit Medical Center/Sinai-Grace Hospital, 4201 St. Antoine, Suite 6G, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Andrew Huang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Detroit Medical Center/Sinai-Grace Hospital, 4201 St. Antoine, Suite 6G, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Ryan Michael King
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Detroit Medical Center/Sinai-Grace Hospital, 4201 St. Antoine, Suite 6G, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Rubin David Green
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Detroit Medical Center/Sinai-Grace Hospital, 4201 St. Antoine, Suite 6G, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Brian James O'Neil
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Detroit Medical Center/Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit, USA
| | - Robert Leigh Sherwin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Detroit Medical Center/Sinai-Grace Hospital, 4201 St. Antoine, Suite 6G, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
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16
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Salehi L, Phalpher P, Yu H, Jaskolka J, Ossip M, Meaney C, Valani R, Mercuri M. Utilization of serum D-dimer assays prior to computed tomography pulmonary angiography scans in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism among emergency department physicians: a retrospective observational study. BMC Emerg Med 2021; 21:10. [PMID: 33468044 PMCID: PMC7814629 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-021-00401-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A variety of evidence-based algorithms and decision rules using D-Dimer testing have been proposed as instruments to allow physicians to safely rule out a pulmonary embolism (PE) in low-risk patients. Objective To describe the prevalence of D-Dimer utilization among emergency department (ED) physicians and its impact on positive yields and utilization rates of Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA). Methods Data was collected on all CTPA studies ordered by ED physicians at three sites during a 2-year period. Using a chi-square test, we compared the diagnostic yield for those patients who had a D-Dimer prior to their CTPA and those who did not. Secondary analysis was done to examine the impact of D-Dimer testing prior to CTPA on individual physician diagnostic yield or utilization rate. Results A total of 2811 CTPAs were included in the analysis. Of these, 964 CTPAs (34.3%) were ordered without a D-Dimer, and 343 (18.7%) underwent a CTPA despite a negative D-Dimer. Those CTPAs preceded by a D-Dimer showed no significant difference in positive yields when compared to those ordered without a D-Dimer (9.9% versus 11.3%, p = 0.26). At the individual physician level, no statistically significant relationship was found between D-Dimer utilization and CTPA utilization rate or diagnostic yield. Conclusion This study provides evidence of suboptimal adherence to guidelines in terms of D-Dimer screening prior to CTPA, and forgoing CTPAs in patients with negative D-Dimers. However, the lack of a positive impact of D-Dimer testing on either CTPA diagnostic yield or utilization rate is indicative of issues relating to the high false-positive rates associated with D-Dimer screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Salehi
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, 100 Main Street West, 6th floor, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. .,Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. .,Department of Emergency Medicine, William Osler Health System, Suite S.1.184, 2100 Bovaird Avenue East, Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Prashant Phalpher
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, 100 Main Street West, 6th floor, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Emergency Medicine, William Osler Health System, Suite S.1.184, 2100 Bovaird Avenue East, Brampton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hubert Yu
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Jaskolka
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, William Osler Health System, 2100 Bovaird Avenue East, Brampton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marc Ossip
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, William Osler Health System, 2100 Bovaird Avenue East, Brampton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher Meaney
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, 100 Main Street West, 6th floor, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rahim Valani
- Department of Emergency Medicine, William Osler Health System, Suite S.1.184, 2100 Bovaird Avenue East, Brampton, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Emergency Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster Clinic, 2nd floor, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mathew Mercuri
- Division of Emergency Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster Clinic, 2nd floor, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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17
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Predictors of Overtesting in Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis. Acad Radiol 2020; 27:404-408. [PMID: 31155486 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2019.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The benefits of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis must be weighed against its risks, radiation-induced malignancy, and contrast-induced nephropathy. Appropriate use of CTPA can be assessed by monitoring yield, the percentage of tests positive for PE. We identify factors that are associated low CTPA yield, which may predict overtesting. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of six emergency departments between June 2014 and February 2017. The electronic health record was queried for CTPAs ordered for adult patients in the emergency department. We assessed the following patient factors: age, gender, body mass index, number of comorbidities, race, and ethnicity, provider factors: type (resident, fellow, attending, physician assistant) and environment factors: test time of day, season of visit, and crowdedness of the department. RESULTS A total of 14,782 CTPAs were reviewed, of which 1366 were found to be positive for PE, resulting in an overall CTPA yield of 9.24%. Provider type was not associated with a difference in yield. Testing was less likely to be positive in younger patients, females, those with lower body mass indexes and those identifying as Asian or Hispanic. Testing was also less likely to be positive when ordered during the overnight shift and during the winter and spring seasons. CONCLUSION Our study identified several patient and environmental factors associated with low CTPA yield suggesting potential targets for overtesting. Targeting education and clinical decision support to assist providers in these circumstances may meaningfully improve yields.
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18
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Aggarwal T, Eskandari A, Priya S, Mullan A, Garg I, Siembida J, Mullan B, Nagpal P. Pulmonary embolism rule out: positivity and factors affecting the yield of CT angiography. Postgrad Med J 2020; 96:594-599. [PMID: 31907225 DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2019-137031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is one of the most commonly ordered CT imaging tests. It is often believed to be overutilised with few recent studies showing a yield of less than 2%. This study aimed to determine the overall positivity rate of CTPA examinations and understand the factors that affect the yield of the CTPA examination. METHODS We retrospectively analysed 2713 patients who received the CTPA exam between 2016 and 2018. Type of study ordered (CTPA chest or CTPA chest with abdomen and pelvis CT), patient location (emergency department (ED), outpatient, inpatient, intensive care unit (ICU)) and patient characteristics-age, sex and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine what factors affect the positivity rate of CT scans for pulmonary embolism (PE). RESULTS With 296 positive test results, the overall CTPA positivity was 10.9%. Male sex was associated with higher CTPA positivity, gender difference was maximum in 18-year to 35-year age group. Overweight and obese patients had significantly higher positivity as compared with BMI<25 (p<0.05). Higher positivity rate was seen in the BMI 25-40 group (11.9%) as compared with BMI>40 (10.1%) (p<0.05). Significant difference (p<0.001) was also found in CTPA examination yield from ICU (15.3%) versus inpatients (other than ICU) (12.4%) versus ED (9.6%), and outpatients (8.5%). The difference in CTPA yield based on the type of CT order (CTPA chest vs CTPA chest with CT abdomen and pelvis), patient's age and sex was not significant. CONCLUSION CTPA yield of 10.9% in this study is comparable to acceptable positivity rate for the USA and is higher than recent studies showing positivity of <2%. Patient characteristics like obesity and ICU or inpatient location are associated with higher rate of CT positivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Aggarwal
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Ali Eskandari
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Sarv Priya
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Aidan Mullan
- Statistics, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Ishan Garg
- Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jakub Siembida
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Brian Mullan
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Prashant Nagpal
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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19
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Higher Imaging Yield When Clinical Decision Support Is Used. J Am Coll Radiol 2019; 17:496-503. [PMID: 31899178 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2019.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Increased utilization of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for the evaluation of pulmonary embolism has been associated with decreasing diagnostic yields and rising concerns about the harms of unnecessary testing. The objective of this study was to determine whether clinical decision support (CDS) use would be associated with increased imaging yields after controlling for selection bias. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study in the emergency departments of two tertiary care hospitals of all CTPAs performed between August 2015 and September 2018. Providers ordering a CTPA are routed to an optional CDS tool, which allows them to use Wells' Criteria for pulmonary embolism. After propensity score matching, CTPA yield was calculated for the CDS-use and CDS-dismissal groups and stratified by provider type. RESULTS A total of 7,367 CTPAs were ordered during the study period. Of those, providers used the CDS tool in 2,568 (35%) cases and did not use the tool in 4,799 (65%) of cases. After propensity score matching, CTPA yield was 11.99% in the CDS-use group and 8.70% in the CDS-dismissal group (P < .001). Attending physicians, residents, and physician assistant CDS users demonstrated a 56.5% (P = .006), 38.7% (P = .01), and 16.7% (P = .03) increased yield compared with those who dismissed the tool, respectively. DISCUSSION Diagnostic yield was 38% higher for CTPAs when the provider used the CDS tool, after controlling for selection bias. Yields were higher for every provider type. Further research is needed to discover successful strategies to increase provider use of these important tools.
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20
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Faggioni L, Gabelloni M, Neri E, Caramella D. Evidence-based Clinical Decision Support Systems for Suspected Pulmonary Embolism: Are We Ready to Go? Acad Radiol 2019; 26:1084-1086. [PMID: 31126810 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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21
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Scott IA. Audit‐based measures of overuse of medical care in Australian hospital practice. Intern Med J 2019; 49:893-904. [DOI: 10.1111/imj.14346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian A. Scott
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical EpidemiologyPrincess Alexandra Hospital Brisbane Queensland Australia
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22
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Prentice D, Wipke-Tevis DD. Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: Following the evidence from suspicion to certainty. JOURNAL OF VASCULAR NURSING 2019; 37:28-42. [PMID: 30954195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvn.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Accurate, timely and cost-effective identification of pulmonary embolism remains a diagnostic challenge. This article reviews the pulmonary embolism diagnostic process with a focus on the best practice advice from the American College of Physicians. Benefits and risks of each diagnostic step are discussed. Emerging diagnostic tools, not included in the algorithm, are briefly reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna Prentice
- Clinical Nurse Specialist, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO; PhD Candidate, Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.
| | - Deidre D Wipke-Tevis
- Associate Professor and PhD Program Director, Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
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Swan D, Hitchen S, Klok FA, Thachil J. The problem of under-diagnosis and over-diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Thromb Res 2019; 177:122-129. [PMID: 30889517 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2019.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is an increasingly recognised condition which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the better awareness of this serious condition, the diagnosis is still overlooked in many cases with sometimes fatal consequences. Under-diagnosis may be due to several reasons including reliance on non-specific 'classic' symptoms, belief that bedside measurements will likely be abnormal in the setting of acute PE, and confounding factors like co-existent cardiorespiratory diseases or being in an intensive care unit, where the diagnosis may not be considered. At the same time, incidental diagnosis of PE is occurring more often due to frequent use of imaging investigations alongside advancements in CT technology, and dilemma exists as to whether the chance finding of PE requires anticoagulation, especially when identified only at the subsegmental level. This article reviews these two issues of under-diagnosis and over-diagnosis of PE in the current era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Swan
- Department of Haematology, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland.
| | - Sophy Hitchen
- Department of Haematology, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Frederikus A Klok
- Department of Medicine - Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jecko Thachil
- Department of Haematology, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Overuse of computed tomography pulmonary angiography to diagnose pulmonary embolism in people who have only a low pre-test probability of pulmonary embolism has received significant attention in the past. The issue of overdiagnosis of pulmonary embolism, a potential consequence of overtesting, has been less explored. The term “overdiagnosis”, used in a narrow sense, describes a correct (true positive) diagnosis in a person but without any associated harm. The aim of this review is to summarise literature on the topic of overdiagnosis of pulmonary embolism and translate this epidemiological concept into the clinical practice of respiratory professionals. The review concludes that the location of pulmonary embolism at a subsegmental level, rather than whether a diagnosis was made incidentally or following an investigation for suspected pulmonary embolism, is the best predictor for situations in which anticoagulation may not be necessary. In the absence of strong evidence of the optimal management of subsegmental pulmonary embolism, treatment decisions should be made case by case, taking into account the patient's situation and preference. A suggested definition of overdiagnosis of pulmonary embolism: a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism that, if left untreated, would not lead to more harm than if it were treated with anticoagulation therapy, independent of symptomshttp://ow.ly/wgAK30nr5IV
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia C Dobler
- Evidence-Based Practice Center, Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia
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