Trends in Pulmonary Embolism Deaths Among Young Adults Aged 25 to 44 Years in the United States, 1999 to 2019

A concerning increase in mortality from acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in young adults in the United States has been reported. We extracted PE-related mortality rates (number of deaths per US population) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database from 1999 to 2019, focusing on subjects aged 25 to 44 years. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were assessed using the Joinpoint regression modeling and expressed as the estimated average annual percentage change (AAPC) with relative 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) and stratified by urbanization, gender, age, and race. Between 1999 and 2019, the AAMR from acute PE in US adults aged 25 to 44 years linearly increased without any difference between genders (AAPC +1.5%, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.8, p <0.001). AAMR increase was more pronounced in American-Indians/Alaska Natives and in Asian/Pacific Islanders (AAPC +2.5%, 95% CI 1.6 to 3.4, p <0.001), Whites (AAPC +1.7%, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.0, p <0.001), Latinx/Hispanic patients (AAPC +1.7%, 95% CI 0.6 to 3.0, p = 0.003), and residents of rural areas (AAPC +2.4%, 95% CI 1.9 to 2.8, p <0.001). A higher AAMR (4.02 per 100,000 residents, 95% CI 3.90 to 4.15) and absolute number of PE-related deaths were observed in the South. PE-related mortality in adults aged 25 to 44 years has increased over the last 2 decades in the United States. Stratification by race, ethnicity, urbanization, and census region showed ethnoracial and regional disparities that will require further evaluation and remedy.

Differential impact of syncope on the prognosis of patients with acute pulmonary embolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aims

Controversial reports exist in the literature regarding the prognostic role and therapeutic implications of syncope in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between syncope and short-term adverse outcomes, taking into account the presence or absence of haemodynamic compromise at acute PE presentation.

Methods and results

The literature search identified 1664 studies, 29 of which were included for a total of 21 956 patients with PE (n = 3706 with syncope). Syncope was associated with higher prevalence of haemodynamic instability [odds ratio (OR) 3.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.67-4.58], as well as with echocardiographic signs of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (OR 2.10; CI 1.60-2.77) at presentation. Patients with syncope had a higher risks of all-cause early (either in-hospital or within 30 days) death (OR 1.73; CI 1.22-2.47) and PE-related 30-day adverse outcomes (OR 2.00; CI 1.11-3.60). The absolute risk difference (95% CI) for all-cause death was +6% (+1% to +10%) in studies including unselected patients, but it was -1% (-2% to +1%) in studies restricted to normotensive patients. We observed no prognostic impact of syncope in studies with a lower score at formal quality assessment and in those conducted retrospectively.

Conclusion

Syncope as a manifestation of acute PE was associated with a higher prevalence of haemodynamic instability and RV dysfunction at presentation, and an elevated risk for early PE-related adverse outcomes. The association with an increased risk of early death appeared more prominent in studies including unselected patients, when compared with those focusing on normotensive patients only.

Life-threatening complications and outcomes in patients with malignancies and severe pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND

Data are scarce about ICU patients with malignancy and severe pulmonary embolism. Here, our main objective was to identify risk factors for life-threatening complications, organ failures, and death in ICU patients with severe pulmonary embolism, with special attention to the impact of malignancy. We also described the clinical features of PE in patients with and without malignancies.

METHODS

Data from consecutive adults admitted to our ICU in 2002-2011 with severe pulmonary embolism were collected retrospectively. Multivariate analysis was performed to look for factors associated with death, organ failures, or life-threatening complications (major bleeding, recurrent PE, and cardiac arrest).

RESULTS

Of 119 included patients (42 [35%] with bilateral pulmonary embolism), 41 had solid malignancies, 27 hematological malignancies, and 51 no malignancies. The most common symptoms were syncope (40%) and hemoptysis (18%) in patients with solid and hematological malignancies, respectively. Life-threatening complications occurred in 23 (19%) patients; risk factors were obesity (OR, 13.22; 1.93-90.70), disseminated intravascular coagulation/ischemic hepatitis (OR, 27.06; 5.14-142.46), fluid load ≥1000 mL/24 h (OR, 6.42; 1.60-25.76), and solid malignancy (OR, 5.45; 1.15-25.89). Inhospital mortality was 27/119 (23%) and respiratory or circulatory failure developed in 36 (30%) patients. Risk factors for these adverse outcomes were older age (OR, 1.04/year; 1.01-1.07), higher oxygen flow rate (OR, 1.28/L; 1.13-1.45); and renal failure (OR, 8.08; 2.50-26.11); whereas chest pain was protective (OR, 0.13; 0.04-0.48).

CONCLUSION

In this study, solid malignancy was a risk factor for life-threatening complications but not for death.

Effect of delay in hospital presentation on clinical and imaging findings in acute pulmonary thromboembolism

BACKGROUND

There is limited information on the extent and clinical importance of the delay in hospital presentation of acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the delay in hospital presentation of PTE and its association with clinical and imaging findings in PTE.

METHODS

This prospective study was conducted on patients admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of acute PTE between September 2007 and September 2011. Relationships between delay in hospital presentation and clinical findings, risk factors, imaging findings, and in-hospital mortality were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 195 patients enrolled, 84 (43.1%) patients presented 3 days after the onset of symptoms. Patients with chest pain, history of immobility for more than 3 days, recent surgery, and estrogen use had significantly less delayed presentation. Right ventricular dysfunction was significantly more frequent in patients with delayed presentation (odds ratio [OR] = 2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27-4.44; p = 0.006); however, no relationship was found between delay in presentation and pulmonary computed tomographic angiography or color Doppler sonography findings. Patients with delayed presentation were at higher risk of in-hospital mortality (OR = 4.32; 95% CI 1.12-16.49; p = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that a significant portion of patients with acute PTE had delayed presentation. Also, patients with delayed presentation had worse echocardiographic findings and higher in-hospital mortality.

Syncope induced by acute pulmonary embolism in aged patients: a report of four cases

Syncope is a common presentation in the neurology clinic and emergency room. However, pulmonary embolism (PE) as a cause of syncope is not common or well recognized. Four aged patients presented to our clinic with episodic syncope, and PE was finally identified as the underlying cause. The significant clinical presentations included transient loss of consciousness and hypoxemia on admission. Syncope with hypoxia should therefore be highlighted as an important clue to the diagnosis of PE in aged patients. A negative D-dimer test will be encountered in patients with a very short history. Repeated D-dimer testing is necessary.