Differences in the clinical course of acute massive and submassive pulmonary embolism

Management of patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism: a narrative review

High-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening disorder associated with high mortality and morbidity. Most deaths in patients with shock occur within the first few hours after presentation, and rapid diagnosis and treatment is therefore essential to save patients’ lives. The main manifestations of major PE are acute right ventricular (RV) failure and hypoxia. RV pressure overload is predominantly related to the interaction between the mechanical pulmonary vascular obstruction and the underlying cardiopulmonary status. Computed tomography angiography allows not only adequate visualization of the pulmonary thromboemboli down to at least the segmental level but also RV enlargement as an indicator of RV dysfunction. Bedside echocardiography is an acceptable alternative under such circumstances. Although it does not usually provide a definitive diagnosis or exclude pulmonary embolism, echocardiography can confirm or exclude severe RV pressure overload and dysfunction. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support can be an effective procedure in patients with PE-induced circulatory collapse. Thrombolysis is generally accepted in unstable patients with high-risk PE; however, thrombolytic agents cannot be fully administered to patients with a high risk of bleeding. Conversely, catheter-directed treatment is an optimal treatment strategy for patients with high-risk PE who have contraindications for thrombolysis and is a minimally invasive alternative to surgical embolectomy. It can be performed with a minimum dose of thrombolytic agents or without, and it can be combined with various procedures including catheter fragmentation or embolectomy in accordance with the extent of the thrombus on a pulmonary angiogram. Hybrid catheter-directed treatment can reduce a rapid heart rate and high pulmonary artery pressure and can improve the gas exchange indices and outcomes. Surgical embolectomy is also performed in patients with contraindications for or an inadequate response to thrombolysis. Large hospitals having an intensive care unit should preemptively establish diagnostic and therapeutic protocols and rehearse multidisciplinary management for patients with high-risk PE. Coordination with a skilled team comprising intensivists, cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, radiologists, and other specialists is crucial to maximize success.

Open pulmonary thromboembolectomy in patients with major pulmonary thromboembolism

PURPOSE

We retrospectively analyzed open pulmonary thromboembolectomy in patients with acute and chronic pulmonary thromboembolism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between August 1990 and May 2005, 12 consecutive patients with acute and chronic pulmonary thromboembolism underwent open pulmonary thromboembolectomy at Yonsei Cardiovascular Center. Their mean age was 47.5 years, and 7 of the patients were female. Among 12 patients, 5 had acute onset, and 7 had chronic disease, and 9 patients were associated with deep venous thrombosis. Extent of pulmonary embolism was massive in 3 patients with hemodynamic instability, and submassive in 8 patients. Preoperative echocardiogram revealed elevated right ventricular pressure in all patients, and 7 patients were in NYHA functional class III or IV. Pulmonary thromboembolectomy was performed in all patients under total circulatory arrest.

RESULTS

There were 2 hospital deaths (16.7%). Among the patients who survived, mean right ventricular pressure was decreased significantly from 64.3 mmHg to 34.0 mmHg with improvement of NYHA functional class.

CONCLUSION

Open pulmonary thromboembolectomy is thought to be an immediate and definitive treatment for massive pulmonary embolism with optimal results. Even though operative mortality is still high, early diagnosis and immediate surgical intervention in highly selective patients may improve the clinical outcome.

Thrombolysis with a novel modified tissue-type plasminogen activator, monteplase, combined with catheter-based treatment for major pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND

A novel modified tissue-type plasminogen activator, monteplase, has been approved for acute major pulmonary embolism (PE) in Japan. Monteplase has rapid and sustained lytic effects because of a steep rise in concentration after bolus infusion and a longer half-life.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To assess the efficacy and safety of thrombolysis with monteplase in combination with catheter-based treatment, acute hemodynamic changes and clinical outcomes were assessed in 50 patients with angiographically confirmed major PE. Thrombolysis with monteplase in combination with embolus fragmentation and thrombectomy was the acute phase treatment. The study population comprised 31 females and 19 males (mean age 62 years). All patients had right ventricular (RV) overload; 12 patients presented in shock. The mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased significantly from 32+/-9 mmHg to 25+/-6 mmHg after acute phase treatment (P<0.0001). The mean dosage of monteplase was 12,265 IU/kg. Death at 30 days occurred in 3 patients (6%). Major bleeding occurred in 12 patients (24%). RV overload at discharge remained in only 3% of the patients with typically acute onset.

CONCLUSIONS

Thrombolysis with monteplase, in combination with catheter-based treatment, is an effective and safe therapy for major PE.

Review of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in a General Hospital

PURPOSE

Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is a serious cardiovascular disease associated with high mortality rates. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome of patients with APE in a general hospital in Japan.

METHODS

The subjects were 14 patients with APE: 6 with out-of-hospital onset and 8 with in-hospital onset.

RESULTS

The incidence of APE in hospitalized patients was 0.03% (95% confidence interval, 0.01%-0.05%). Eight patients suffered shock and three patients suffered cardiac arrest. Advanced age, deep vein thrombus (DVT), cancer, fracture, obesity, and surgery were common risk factors. In the hospitalized patients, surgery was a major risk factor: APE developed perioperatively in five (63%) of eight patients. Nine patients were treated with heparin alone, three were treated with thrombolysis, and two underwent surgical embolectomy for right heart thrombi. Three of the patients who suffered shock died during hospitalization and another died of recurrence 2 months after the first episode. Overall in-hospital and 3-month mortality rates were 21% and 29%, respectively, and the in-hospital mortality rate of the patients with shock was 38%.

CONCLUSION

Acute pulmonary embolism was associated with high mortality rates and surgery was the most common risk factor predisposing to APE in hospitalized patients. Thus, standardized prophylaxis against DVT is essential for patients undergoing surgery.

Differences in clinical presentation of pulmonary embolism in older vs younger patients

BACKGROUND

In order to better define the clinical characterization of pulmonary embolism (PE) in the elderly, the clinical and laboratory findings were compared in older (> or = 65 years old) and younger (< 65 years old) patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study group comprised 149 patients (58 older and 91 younger) who received a final diagnosis of PE and were retrospectively evaluated. The severity of PE was assessed by calculating the pulmonary vascular obstruction scores (PVOs) scintigraphically: PVOs > or = 50% was defined as severe disease. Dyspnea was the most frequent symptom in both groups. Chest pain and hemoptysis were less frequent in older patients (48.3% vs 79.1%, p = 0.001; 6.9% vs 20.9%, p = 0.021, respectively) whereas syncope occurred more often in the older group (27.6% vs 9.9%, p = 0.005). PVOs > or = 50% occurred in 55.1% of older and 32.9% of younger patients (odds ratio: 1.67, 95%confidence interval: 1.118-2.507, p = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical presentation of PE can be subtle or atypical in elderly patients and hence they may have more severe disease. Therefore, a high clinical suspicion is required in order to prevent delays in diagnostic work-up and initiation of appropriate treatment.

Clinical Characteristics, Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Pulmonary Thromboembolism Who are Not Diagnosed in the Acute Phase and Not Classified as Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

BACKGROUND

There have been many cases of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) that were not diagnosed in the acute phase and not classified as chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The aim of the present study was clarify the clinical characteristics of chronic PTE.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study subjects were 601 patients (chronic PTE = 92, acute PTE = 456, CTEPH = 53) who were clinically diagnosed before their death. Dyspnea and chest pain, which are frequently found in acute PTE, were found less frequently in chronic PTE. The diagnosis of chronic PTE is often delayed in cases of mild to moderate severity with atypical onset. Chronic heart failure and chronic respiratory failure were most frequent in chronic PTE, and cerebrovascular disease was present in approximately 15% of the cases of chronic PTE. Pulmonary angiography and ventilation lung scan were used least frequently in acute PTE. Heparin and thrombolysis were used most frequently in acute PTE.

CONCLUSIONS

Besides the atypical onset and reduced severity, the presence of preexisting diseases may be one of the reasons why the diagnosis for chronic PTE is delayed. The diagnostic and management techniques differ according to the type of PTE.