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Delgado F, Hajibonabi F, Hislop J, Johnson JO, Naeem M, Hanna T. Optimizing emergency department imaging utilization for pulmonary emboli: A study on the effects of IV contrast rationing. Clin Imaging 2024; 107:110090. [PMID: 38271900 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2024.110090] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To study the impact of a contrast mitigation protocol on imaging utilization for pulmonary embolism (PE) in the emergency department (ED). MATERIAL AND METHODS Medical records of ED patients with suspected PE who underwent CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or ventilation-perfusion (VQ) scans were analyzed in control (3/15/22-4/15/22) and test (5/15/22-6/15/22) periods. The test period included a contrast mitigation protocol due to a global iodinated contrast shortage (05/2022-06/2022). Out of 610 scans, 28 were excluded for non-PE indications. Patient demographics, time metrics, and imaging reports were recorded. RESULTS Among 11,019 ED visits, there were 582 imaging events for suspected PE. The test period exhibited a significantly lower imaging rate of 4.16 % compared to 6.54 % in the control period (p < 0.001). CTPA usage decreased by 47.73 %, while VQ scan usage increased by 775.00 % during the test period. Test period positivity rate was 0.82 %, with CTPA at 0.58 % (1/173) and VQ scan at 1.43 % (1/70). In the control period, the positivity rate was 0.29 %, with CTPA at 0.30 % (1/331) and VQ scan at 0.00 % (0/8). Previous hospitalization history was significantly higher in the test period (70/243 vs. 39/339, p < 0.001). The positivity rates between the two periods showed no significant difference (p = 0.57). There were no significant differences in ED length of stay and image acquisition times. CONCLUSION The contrast mitigation protocol reduced CTPA use, increased VQ scans, and maintained positivity rates and image acquisition times. However, concerns persist about unnecessary imaging and low positivity rates, necessitating further research to optimize PE diagnostic algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Delgado
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Farid Hajibonabi
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jada Hislop
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Muhammad Naeem
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tarek Hanna
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Altabbaa G, Flemons W, Ocampo W, Babione JN, Kaufman J, Murphy S, Lamont N, Schaefer J, Boscan A, Stelfox HT, Conly J, Ghali WA. Deployment of a human-centred clinical decision support system for pulmonary embolism: evaluation of impact on quality of diagnostic decisions. BMJ Open Qual 2024; 13:e002574. [PMID: 38350673 PMCID: PMC10862276 DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2023-002574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious condition that presents a diagnostic challenge for which diagnostic errors often happen. The literature suggests that a gap remains between PE diagnostic guidelines and adherence in healthcare practice. While system-level decision support tools exist, the clinical impact of a human-centred design (HCD) approach of PE diagnostic tool design is unknown. DESIGN Before-after (with a preintervention period as non-concurrent control) design study. SETTING Inpatient units at two tertiary care hospitals. PARTICIPANTS General internal medicine physicians and their patients who underwent PE workups. INTERVENTION After a 6-month preintervention period, a clinical decision support system (CDSS) for diagnosis of PE was deployed and evaluated over 6 months. A CDSS technical testing phase separated the two time periods. MEASUREMENTS PE workups were identified in both the preintervention and CDSS intervention phases, and data were collected from medical charts. Physician reviewers assessed workup summaries (blinded to the study period) to determine adherence to evidence-based recommendations. Adherence to recommendations was quantified with a score ranging from 0 to 1.0 (the primary study outcome). Diagnostic tests ordered for PE workups were the secondary outcomes of interest. RESULTS Overall adherence to diagnostic pathways was 0.63 in the CDSS intervention phase versus 0.60 in the preintervention phase (p=0.18), with fewer workups in the CDSS intervention phase having very low adherence scores. Further, adherence was significantly higher when PE workups included the Wells prediction rule (median adherence score=0.76 vs 0.59, p=0.002). This difference was even more pronounced when the analysis was limited to the CDSS intervention phase only (median adherence score=0.80 when Wells was used vs 0.60 when Wells was not used, p=0.001). For secondary outcomes, using both the D-dimer blood test (42.9% vs 55.7%, p=0.014) and CT pulmonary angiogram imaging (61.9% vs 75.4%, p=0.005) was lower during the CDSS intervention phase. CONCLUSION A clinical decision support intervention with an HCD improves some aspects of the diagnostic decision, such as the selection of diagnostic tests and the use of the Wells probabilistic prediction rule for PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazwan Altabbaa
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ward Flemons
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Wrechelle Ocampo
- W21C Research and Innovation Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Jamie Kaufman
- W21C Research and Innovation Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sydney Murphy
- W21C Research and Innovation Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nicole Lamont
- W21C Research and Innovation Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Schaefer
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alejandra Boscan
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Henry T Stelfox
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - John Conly
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - William A Ghali
- Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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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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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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Sprockel Diaz JJ, Veronesi Zuluaga LA, Coral Coral DC, Fierro Rodriguez DM. Application of the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria (PERC rule) and age-adjusted D-Dimer in patients undergoing computed tomography pulmonary angiography for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. J Vasc Bras 2023; 22:e20220022. [PMID: 37143505 PMCID: PMC10153795 DOI: 10.1590/1677-5449.202200222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) constitutes a challenge for practitioners. Current practice involves use of pre-test probability prediction rules. Several strategies to optimize this process have been explored. Objectives To explore whether application of the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria (PERC rule) and age-adjusted D-dimer (DD) would have reduced the number of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) examinations performed in patients with suspected PE. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study of adult patients taken for CTPA under suspicion of PE in 2018 and 2020. The PERC rule and age-adjusted DD were applied. The number of cases without indications for imaging studies was estimated and the operational characteristics for diagnosis of PE were calculated. Results 302 patients were included. PE was diagnosed in 29.8%. Only 27.2% of 'not probable' cases according to the Wells criteria had D-dimer assays. Age adjustment would have reduced tomography use by 11.1%, with an AUC of 0.5. The PERC rule would have reduced use by 7%, with an AUC of 0.72. Conclusions Application of age-adjusted D-dimer and the PERC rule to patients taken for CTPA because of suspected PE seems to reduce the number of indications for the procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Jaime Sprockel Diaz
- Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud - FUCS, Bogotá, Colombia
- Hospital de San José - HSJ, Bogotá, Colombia
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Barrett L, Jones T, Horner D. The application of an age adjusted D-dimer threshold to rule out suspected venous thromboembolism (VTE) in an emergency department setting: a retrospective diagnostic cohort study. BMC Emerg Med 2022; 22:186. [PMID: 36418964 PMCID: PMC9684767 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-022-00736-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Venous Thromboembolic disease (VTE) poses a diagnostic challenge for clinicians in acute care. Over reliance on reference standard investigations can lead to over treatment and potential harm. We sought to evaluate the pragmatic performance and implications of using an age adjusted D-dimer (AADD) strategy to rule out VTE in patients with suspected disease attending an emergency department (ED) setting. We aimed to determine diagnostic test characteristics and assess whether this strategy would result in proportional imaging reduction and potential cost savings. METHODS Design: Single centre retrospective diagnostic cohort study. All patients > 50 years old evaluated for possible VTE who presented to the emergency department over a consecutive 12-month period between January and December 2016 with a positive D-dimer result. Clinical assessment records and reference standard imaging results were followed up by multiple independent adjudicators and coded as VTE positive or negative. RESULTS During the study period, there were 2132 positive D-dimer results. One thousand two hundred thirty-six patients received reference standard investigations. A total increase of 314/1236 (25.1%) results would have been coded as true negatives as opposed to false positive if the AADD cut off point had been applied, with 314 reference standard tests subsequently avoided. The AADD cut off had comparable sensitivity to the current cut off despite this increase in specificity; sensitivities for the diagnosis of DVT were 99.28% (95% CI 96.06-99.98%) and 97.72% for PE (95% CI 91.94% to 97.72). There were 3 false negative results using the AADD strategy. CONCLUSIONS In patients with suspected VTE with a low or moderate pre-test probability, the application of AADD appears to increase the proportion of patients in which VTE can be excluded without the need for reference standard imaging. This management strategy is likely to be associated with substantial reduction in anticoagulation treatment, investigations and cost/time savings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam Barrett
- grid.24029.3d0000 0004 0383 8386Emergency Department, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ UK ,grid.5335.00000000121885934University Division of Anaesthesia, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tom Jones
- grid.417286.e0000 0004 0422 2524Wythenshawe Hospital, University of Hospital of South Manchester, Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, M23 9LT UK
| | - Daniel Horner
- grid.412346.60000 0001 0237 2025Emergency Department, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Stott Lane, Salford, UK ,grid.5379.80000000121662407Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Meusel M, Pätz T, Gruber K, Kupp S, Jensch PJ, Saraei R, Fürschke A, Sayk F, Eitel I, Wolfrum S. PrEdictive value of coMbined pre-test proBability and blOod gas anaLysis In pulmonary emboliSM-the EMBOLISM study. Intern Emerg Med 2022; 17:2245-2252. [PMID: 35976533 PMCID: PMC9652271 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-022-03075-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE), the number of unnecessary computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) scans remains high, especially in patients with low pre-test probability (PTP). So far, no study showed any additional benefit of capillary blood gas analysis (BGA) in diagnostic algorithms for PE. In this retrospective analysis of patients with suspected PE and subsequent CTPA, clinical data, D-dimer levels and BGA parameters (including standardized PaO2) were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors for PE and reduce unnecessary CTPA examinations in patients with low PTP according to Wells score. Of 1538 patients, PE was diagnosed in 433 patients (28.2%). The original Wells score (odds ratio: 1.381 [95% CI 1.300-1.467], p < 0.001) and standardized PaO2 (odds ratio: 0.987 [95% CI 0.978-0.996], p = 0.005) were independent predictors for PE. After cohort adjustment for low PTP a D-dimer cut-off < 1.5 mg/L (278 patients (18.1%) with 18 PE (6.5%)) was identified in which a standardized PaO2 > 65 mmHg reduced the number of unnecessary CTPA by 31.9% with a 100% sensitivity. This approach was further validated in additional 53 patients with low PTP. In this validation group CTPA examinations were reduced by 32.7%. No patient with PE was missed. With our novel algorithm combining BGA testing with low PTP according to Wells score, we were able to increase the D-Dimer threshold to 1.5 mg/L and reduce CTPA examinations by approximately 32%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Meusel
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Heart Center Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Lübeck, German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany.
| | - Toni Pätz
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Heart Center Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Lübeck, German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Kim Gruber
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Heart Center Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Lübeck, German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kupp
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Heart Center Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Lübeck, German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Philipp-Johannes Jensch
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Heart Center Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Lübeck, German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Roza Saraei
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Heart Center Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Lübeck, German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Alexander Fürschke
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Friedhelm Sayk
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ingo Eitel
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Heart Center Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Lübeck, German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wolfrum
- Emergency Department, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
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Debnath J, Sharma V. Diagnosing pulmonary thromboembolism: Concerns and controversies. Med J Armed Forces India 2022; 78:17-23. [PMID: 35035039 PMCID: PMC8737094 DOI: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2021.05.021] [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: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is an important cause of mortality/morbidity even today despite advancement in clinical understanding as well as diagnostic facilities. Clinical diagnosis of PTE is often challenging because of nonspecific sign/symptoms. Adherence to clinical decision-making protocols and appropriate use of diagnostic modalities like computed tomography pulmonary angiography can resolve the diagnostic dilemma in most cases and help in the overall management of PTE. This article deals with various concerns as well as controversies surrounding accurate diagnosis of PTE as on date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotindu Debnath
- Consultant, Professor & Head (Radiodiagnosis), Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt, India,Corresponding author.
| | - Vivek Sharma
- Professor (Radiodiagnosis), Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College, Pune, India
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10
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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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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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12
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Role of a new age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff value for preoperative deep venous thrombosis exclusion in elderly patients with hip fractures. J Orthop Surg Res 2021; 16:649. [PMID: 34717681 PMCID: PMC8557539 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-021-02801-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to describe the characteristics of plasma D-dimer level with increasing age and establish a new age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff value for excluding preoperative lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in elderly patients with hip fractures. Methods This was a retrospective study of elderly patients who presented with acute hip fracture in our institution between June 2016 and June 2019. All patients underwent D-dimer test and duplex ultrasound. Patients were divided into six 5-year-apart age groups. The optimal cutoff value for each group was calculated by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, whereby the new age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff value was determined. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were calculated and compared when different D-dimer cutoff values were applied, i.e., conventional 0.5 mg/L, previously well-established age-adjusted cutoff value (age × 0.01 mg/L) and the new age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff value herein. Results There were 2759 patients included, 887 males and 1872 females, with an average age of 78 years. In total, 280 patients were diagnosed with preoperative DVT. The optimal cutoff values for the six age groups were 0.715 mg/L, 1.17 mg/L, 1.62 mg/L, 1.665 mg/L, 1.69 mg/L and 1.985 mg/L, respectively, and the calculated age-adjusted coefficient was 0.02 mg/L. With this new coefficient applied, the specificity was 61%, clearly higher than those for conventional threshold (0.5 mg/L, 37%) or previously established age-adjusted D-dimer threshold (age × 0.01 mg/L, 22%). In contrast, the sensitivity was lower than that (59% vs 85% or 77%) when D-dimer threshold of 0.5 mg/L or age-adjusted cutoff value (age × 0.01 mg/L) was used. The other indexes as PPV (15%, 11% and 12%) and NPV (93%, 93% and 94%) were comparable when three different D-dimer thresholds were applied. Conclusions We developed a new age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff value (age × 0.02 mg/L) for a specified high-risk population of patients aged 65 years or older with hip fractures, and demonstrated the improved utility of the D-dimer test for exclusion of DVT. This formula can be considered for use in elderly hip fracture patients who meet the applicable standards as preoperative DVT screening, after its validity is confirmed by more well-evidenced studies.
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Clements W, McMahon GA, Joseph T, Goh GS, Kuang RJ, Smit DV, Varma D. Risk stratification of emergency department patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism: Is chest pain a reason to investigate? J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2021; 65:864-868. [PMID: 34132053 DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.13262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to risk-stratify chest pain as a presenting symptom in patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) to assess for any association. In addition, this study aimed to assess traditionally acknowledged PE risk factors in an Australian population. METHODS This was a retrospective single-centre cohort study assessing patients who presented to our emergency department during the period of 1 January 2019 to 1 January 2020. 730 consecutive patients who went on to computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) examination after presentation were included. RESULTS The rate of CTPA being positive in this study was 11.6% (85/730). Chest pain was associated with a non-significant reduction in the odds of PE (OR 0.774, P = 0.327). Univariate analysis showed significantly increased odds of a diagnosis of PE with presentation for leg pain/swelling (OR 6.670, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed increasing age (OR 1.018, 95% CI 1.002-1.034, P = 0.024), clinical signs of a DVT (OR 3.194, 95% CI 1.803-5.657, P < 0.001) and positive D-dimer (OR 1.762, 95% CI 1.011-3.071, P = 0.046) were associated with increased odds of PE. CONCLUSION In this study, Emergency Department presentation with chest pain, whilst the most common reason to perform a CTPA, resulted in reduced odds with regard to the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism. The use of CTPA in this setting may be rationalised according to other factors such as localised leg pain as a symptom, signs of DVT, increasing age or positive D-dimer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren Clements
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,National Trauma Research Institute, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - George Al McMahon
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tim Joseph
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gerard S Goh
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,National Trauma Research Institute, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ronny Jd Kuang
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - De Villiers Smit
- National Trauma Research Institute, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dinesh Varma
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,National Trauma Research Institute, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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14
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Stein PD, Matta F, Hughes MJ. Hospitalizations for High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism. Am J Med 2021; 134:621-625. [PMID: 33245921 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of pulmonary embolism has been increasing. It has been suggested that this may reflect overdiagnosis due to widespread use of computed tomographic pulmonary angiography. The purpose of the present investigation is to further evaluate whether the increasing incidence of pulmonary embolism represents overdiagnosis. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study based on administrative data from the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample 1999-2014. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes were used. The population of the United States according to year was determined from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS The incidence of pulmonary embolism increased from 65/100,000 population in 1999 to 137/100,000 population in 2014 (P < .0001). High-risk pulmonary embolism increased from 2.2/100,000 population to 9.9/100,000 population (P < .0001). The incidence of primary pulmonary embolism increased from 40/100,000 population in 1999 to 73/100,000 population in 2014 (P < .0001). High-risk pulmonary embolism in patients with a primary diagnosis of pulmonary embolism increased from 0.8/100,000 population in 1999 to 2.3/100,000 population in 2014 (P < .0001). Among patients with pulmonary embolism, the incidence of high-risk pulmonary embolism increased from 1999-2014 (P = .0025). In-hospital all-cause mortality in high-risk patients was 102,402 of 195,909 (52.2%). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of high-risk pulmonary embolism has increased concordantly with the increasing incidence of all pulmonary embolism. Increasing proportions of patients with potentially lethal pulmonary embolism are being diagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Stein
- Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing.
| | - Fadi Matta
- Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing
| | - Mary J Hughes
- Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing
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15
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Bond C, Morgenstern J, Heitz C, Milne WK. Hot Off the Press: Tell Me How To Diagnose a Pulmonary Embolism. Acad Emerg Med 2021; 28:367-369. [PMID: 32662078 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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16
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Stein PD, Matta F, Hughes PG, Gerstner BJ, Hatoum Z, Berens N, Hanover KR, Kakish EJ, Hughes MJ. Usefulness of ancillary findings on CT pulmonary angiograms that are negative for pulmonary embolism. Thromb Res 2021; 200:48-50. [PMID: 33540291 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2021.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Stein
- Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America.
| | - Fadi Matta
- Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
| | - Patrick G Hughes
- Department of Integrated Medical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States of America
| | - Brett J Gerstner
- Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America; Department of Emergency Medicine, McLaren Greater Lansing, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
| | - Zachariah Hatoum
- Department of Integrated Medical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States of America
| | - Nora Berens
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Sparrow Health System, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
| | | | - Edward J Kakish
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford West Bloomfield, West Bloomfield, MI, United States of America
| | - Mary J Hughes
- Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America; Department of Emergency Medicine, Sparrow Health System, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
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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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Lei M, Liu C, Luo Z, Xu Z, Jiang Y, Lin J, Wang C, Jiang D. Diagnostic management of inpatients with a positive D-dimer test: developing a new clinical decision-making rule for pulmonary embolism. Pulm Circ 2021; 11:2045894020943378. [PMID: 33456753 PMCID: PMC7797584 DOI: 10.1177/2045894020943378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A positive D-dimer test has high sensitivity but relatively poor specificity
for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, causing difficulty for clinicians
unskilled in pulmonary embolism diagnosis in determining whether a patient
with a positive D-dimer test needs to undergo computed tomographic pulmonary
angiography. Objectives We sought to develop a new clinical decision-making rule based on a positive
D-dimer result to predict the probability of pulmonary embolism and to guide
clinicians in making decisions regarding the need for computed tomographic
pulmonary angiography. Methods We conducted a prospective, multicenter study in three hospitals in China. A
total of 3014 inpatients with positive D-dimer results were included. In the
derivation group, we built a multivariate logistic regression model and
deduced a regression equation from which our score was derived. Finally, we
validated the score in an independent cohort. Results Our score included nine variables (points): chest pain (1.4), chest tightness
(2.3), shortness of breath (3.6), hemoptysis (3.4), heart rate ≥100
beats/min (3.6), blood gas analysis (2.9), electrocardiogram presenting a
typical S1Q3T3 pattern (4.1), electrocardiogram findings (2.4), and
ultrasonic cardiogram findings (3.7). The sensitivities and specificities
were 100% and 86.94%, respectively, in the derivation group and 100% and
90.82%, respectively, in the validation group. Additionally, the observed
and predicted proportions of patients who underwent computed tomographic
pulmonary angiography were 16.82% and 10.76%, respectively, in the
derivation group and 18.72% and 11.40%, respectively, in the validation
group. Conclusions The new score can categorize inpatients with a positive D-dimer test as
pulmonary embolism-likely or pulmonary embolism-unlikely, thus reducing
unnecessary computed tomographic pulmonary angiography examinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Lei
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, The Fuling Central Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Respiratory medicine, The Second Clinical Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhuang Luo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Clinical Hospital of Kunming Medical College, Kunming, China
| | - Zhibo Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second People's Hospital of Chengdu City, Chengdu, China
| | - Youfan Jiang
- Department of Respiratory medicine, The Second Clinical Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiachen Lin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second People's Hospital of Chengdu City, Chengdu, China
| | - Chu Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Clinical Hospital of Kunming Medical College, Kunming, China
| | - Depeng Jiang
- Department of Respiratory medicine, The Second Clinical Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Westafer LM, Kunz A, Bugajska P, Hughes A, Mazor KM, Schoenfeld EM, Stefan MS, Lindenauer PK. Provider Perspectives on the Use of Evidence-based Risk Stratification Tools in the Evaluation of Pulmonary Embolism: A Qualitative Study. Acad Emerg Med 2020; 27:447-456. [PMID: 32220127 PMCID: PMC7418048 DOI: 10.1111/acem.13908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Providers often pursue imaging in patients at low risk of pulmonary embolism (PE), resulting in imaging yields <10% and false-positive imaging rates of 10% to 25%. Attempts to curb overtesting have had only modest success and no interventions have used implementation science frameworks. The objective of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators to the adoption of evidence-based diagnostic testing for PE. METHODS We conducted semistructured interviews with a purposeful sample of providers. An interview guide was developed using the implementation science frameworks, consolidated framework for implementation research, and theoretical domains framework. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed in an iterative process. Emergent themes were identified, discussed, and organized. RESULTS We interviewed 23 providers from four hospital systems, and participants were diverse with regard to years in practice and practice setting. Barriers were predominately at the provider level and included lack of knowledge of the tools, particularly misunderstanding of the validated scoring systems in Wells, as well as risk avoidance and need for certainty. Barriers to prior implementation strategies included the perception of a clinical decision support (CDS) tool for PE as adding steps with little value; most participants reported that they overrode CDS interventions because they had already made the decision. All providers identified institution-level strategies as facilitators to use, including endorsed guidelines, audit feedback with peer comparison about imaging yield, and peer pressure. CONCLUSIONS This exploration of the use of risk stratification tools in the evaluation of PE found that barriers to use primarily exist at the provider level, whereas facilitators to the use of these tools are largely perceived at the level of the institution. Future efforts to promote the evidence-based diagnosis of PE should be informed by these determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Westafer
- From the, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, MA
- the, Institute for Healthcare Delivery and Population Science, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, MA
| | - Ashley Kunz
- From the, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, MA
| | | | - Amber Hughes
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA
| | - Kathleen M Mazor
- Meyers Primary Care Institute, Worcester, MA
- and the, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Elizabeth M Schoenfeld
- From the, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, MA
- the, Institute for Healthcare Delivery and Population Science, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, MA
| | - Mihaela S Stefan
- the, Institute for Healthcare Delivery and Population Science, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, MA
- and the, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, MA
| | - Peter K Lindenauer
- the, Institute for Healthcare Delivery and Population Science, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, MA
- and the, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, MA
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20
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Blondon M, Le Gal G, Meyer G, Righini M, Robert-Ebadi H. Age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: A cost-effectiveness analysis. J Thromb Haemost 2020; 18:865-875. [PMID: 31925875 DOI: 10.1111/jth.14733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) and a non-high pretest probability, the use of an age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff (AADD, <500 ng/mL up to 50 years, then METHODS We created a decision tree to compare the use of the AADD with the standard D-dimer cutoff. The model included short-term venous thromboembolism-related events and long-term complications, their associated morbidity/mortality, and costs. Probabilities were derived from published literature and the ADJUST-PE study, and costs from US estimates. The time horizon was lifetime, with a health care system perspective. RESULTS Using the AADD cutoff, compared with the standard cutoff, was associated with a loss of 0.0001 quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) and an average cost reduction of $33.4. The decremental cost-effectiveness ratio (DCER) was +$282 881/lost QALY (95% confidence interval from +$43 209/lost QALY to a dominant strategy). The probability that the use of the AADD cutoff was either dominant or gained >$200 000/lost QALY was 79.4%. In sensitivity analyses, the DCER became <+$200 000/lost QALY only if, among patients with D-dimer below the AADD cutoff, the mortality of an undiagnosed PE was >6% or the prevalence of PE was >0.6%. CONCLUSIONS The AADD cutoff results in a clinically nonsignificant decrease in QALY but important costs reductions. It is a decrementally cost-effective innovation, with a potential of cost savings of >$80 million per year for the United States health care system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Blondon
- Division of Angiology and Haemostasis, Faculty of Medicine and Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gregoire Le Gal
- Department of Medicine, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Guy Meyer
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, APHP, Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Marc Righini
- Division of Angiology and Haemostasis, Faculty of Medicine and Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Helia Robert-Ebadi
- Division of Angiology and Haemostasis, Faculty of Medicine and Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
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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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Alhassan S, Bihler E, Patel K, Lavudi S, Young M, Balaan M. Assessment of the current D-dimer cutoff point in pulmonary embolism workup at a single institution: Retrospective study. J Postgrad Med 2019; 64:150-154. [PMID: 29873308 PMCID: PMC6066624 DOI: 10.4103/jpgm.jpgm_217_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The currently used D-dimer (DD) cutoff point is associated with a large number of negative CT-pulmonary angiographies (CTPA). We hypothesized presence of deficiency in the current cutoff and a need to look for a better DD threshold. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective medical records analysis of all patients who had a CTPA as part of pulmonary embolism (PE) workup over a 1-year period. All emergency room (ER) patients who had DD assay checked prior to CTPA were included in the analysis. We assessed our institutional cutoff point and tried to test other presumptive DD thresholds retrospectively. Results: At our institution 1591 CTPA were performed in 2014, with 1220 scans (77%) performed in the ER. DD test was ordered prior to CTPA imaging in 238 ER patients (19.5%) as part of the PE workup. PE was diagnosed in 14 cases (6%). The sensitivity and specificity of the currently used DD cutoff (0.5 mcg/mL) were found to be 100% and 13%, respectively. Shifting the cutoff value from 0.5 to 0.85 mcg/mL would result in a significant increase in the specificity from 13% to 51% while maintaining the same sensitivity of 100%. This would make theoretically 84 CTPA scans, corresponding to 35% of CTPA imaging, unnecessary because DD would be considered negative based on this presumptive threshold. Conclusions: Our results suggest a significant deficiency in the institutional DD cutoff point with the need to find a better threshold through a large multicenter prospective trial to minimize unnecessary CTPA scans and to improve patient safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Alhassan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - E Bihler
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - K Patel
- Department of Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - S Lavudi
- Department of Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - M Young
- Department of Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - M Balaan
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Banerjee I, Sofela M, Yang J, Chen JH, Shah NH, Ball R, Mushlin AI, Desai M, Bledsoe J, Amrhein T, Rubin DL, Zamanian R, Lungren MP. Development and Performance of the Pulmonary Embolism Result Forecast Model (PERFORM) for Computed Tomography Clinical Decision Support. JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2:e198719. [PMID: 31390040 PMCID: PMC6686780 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.8719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening clinical problem, and computed tomographic imaging is the standard for diagnosis. Clinical decision support rules based on PE risk-scoring models have been developed to compute pretest probability but are underused and tend to underperform in practice, leading to persistent overuse of CT imaging for PE. OBJECTIVE To develop a machine learning model to generate a patient-specific risk score for PE by analyzing longitudinal clinical data as clinical decision support for patients referred for CT imaging for PE. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In this diagnostic study, the proposed workflow for the machine learning model, the Pulmonary Embolism Result Forecast Model (PERFORM), transforms raw electronic medical record (EMR) data into temporal feature vectors and develops a decision analytical model targeted toward adult patients referred for CT imaging for PE. The model was tested on holdout patient EMR data from 2 large, academic medical practices. A total of 3397 annotated CT imaging examinations for PE from 3214 unique patients seen at Stanford University hospitals and clinics were used for training and validation. The models were externally validated on 240 unique patients seen at Duke University Medical Center. The comparison with clinical scoring systems was done on randomly selected 100 outpatient samples from Stanford University hospitals and clinics and 101 outpatient samples from Duke University Medical Center. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Prediction performance of diagnosing acute PE was evaluated using ElasticNet, artificial neural networks, and other machine learning approaches on holdout data sets from both institutions, and performance of models was measured by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). RESULTS Of the 3214 patients included in the study, 1704 (53.0%) were women from Stanford University hospitals and clinics; mean (SD) age was 60.53 (19.43) years. The 240 patients from Duke University Medical Center used for validation included 132 women (55.0%); mean (SD) age was 70.2 (14.2) years. In the samples for clinical scoring system comparisons, the 100 outpatients from Stanford University hospitals and clinics included 67 women (67.0%); mean (SD) age was 57.74 (19.87) years, and the 101 patients from Duke University Medical Center included 59 women (58.4%); mean (SD) age was 73.06 (15.3) years. The best-performing model achieved an AUROC performance of predicting a positive PE study of 0.90 (95% CI, 0.87-0.91) on intrainstitutional holdout data with an AUROC of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.69-0.72) on an external data set from Duke University Medical Center; superior AUROC performance and cross-institutional generalization of the model of 0.81 (95% CI, 0.77-0.87) and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.73-0.82), respectively, were noted on holdout outpatient populations from both intrainstitutional and extrainstitutional data. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The machine learning model, PERFORM, may consider multitudes of applicable patient-specific risk factors and dependencies to arrive at a PE risk prediction that generalizes to new population distributions. This approach might be used as an automated clinical decision-support tool for patients referred for CT PE imaging to improve CT use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imon Banerjee
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Miji Sofela
- Duke University Health System, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jaden Yang
- Quantitative Science Unit, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Jonathan H. Chen
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Informatics), Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Nigam H. Shah
- Department of Medicine (Biomedical Informatics), Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Robyn Ball
- Quantitative Science Unit, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Alvin I. Mushlin
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Manisha Desai
- Quantitative Science Unit, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Joseph Bledsoe
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Intermountain Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Timothy Amrhein
- Department of Radiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Daniel L. Rubin
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Roham Zamanian
- Department of Medicine, Med/Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
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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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Dhakal P, Iftikhar MH, Wang L, Atti V, Panthi S, Ling X, Mujer MTP, Dawani O, Rai MP, Tatineni S, Shrotriya S, Rayamajhi S. Overutilisation of imaging studies for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: are we following the guidelines? Postgrad Med J 2019; 95:420-424. [PMID: 30665902 DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2018-135995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate if imaging studies such as CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan are ordered according to the current guidelines for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS We performed a retrospective observational cohort study in all adult patients who presented to the Sparrow Hospital Emergency Department from January 2014 to December 2016 and underwent CTPA or V/Q scan. We calculated the Wells' score retrospectively, and d-dimer values were used to determine if the imaging study was justified. RESULTS A total of 8449 patients underwent CTPA (93%) or V/Q scan (7%), among which 142 (1.7%) patients were diagnosed with PE. The Wells' criteria showed low probabilities for PE in 96 % and intermediate or high probabilities in 4 % of total patients. Modified Wells' criteria demonstrated PE unlikely in 99.6 % and PE likely in 0.4 % of total patients. D-dimer was obtained in only 37 % of patients who were unlikely to have a PE or had a low score on Wells' criteria. Despite a low or unlikely Wells' criteria score and normal d-dimer levels, 260 patients underwent imaging studies, and none were diagnosed with PE. CONCLUSION More than 99 % of CTPA or V/Q scans were negative in our study. This suggests extraordinary overutilisation of the imaging methods. D-dimer, recommended in patients with low to moderate risk, was ordered in only one-third of patients. Much greater emphasis of current guidelines is needed to avoid inappropriate utilisation of resources without missing diagnosis of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prajwal Dhakal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology and Hematology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.,Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | | | - Ling Wang
- Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Varunsiri Atti
- Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Sagar Panthi
- Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Xiao Ling
- Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Mark T P Mujer
- Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Om Dawani
- Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Manoj P Rai
- Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Shilpa Tatineni
- Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Shiva Shrotriya
- Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Supratik Rayamajhi
- Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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Koziatek CA, Simon E, Horwitz LI, Makarov DV, Smith SW, Jones S, Gyftopoulos S, Swartz JL. Automated Pulmonary Embolism Risk Classification and Guideline Adherence for Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography Ordering. Acad Emerg Med 2018; 25:1053-1061. [PMID: 29710413 DOI: 10.1111/acem.13442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The assessment of clinical guideline adherence for the evaluation of pulmonary embolism (PE) via computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) currently requires either labor-intensive, retrospective chart review or prospective collection of PE risk scores at the time of CTPA order. The recording of clinical data in a structured manner in the electronic health record (EHR) may make it possible to automate the calculation of a patient's PE risk classification and determine whether the CTPA order was guideline concordant. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to measure the performance of automated, structured data-only versions of the Wells and revised Geneva risk scores in emergency department (ED) encounters during which a CTPA was ordered. The hypothesis was that such an automated method would classify a patient's PE risk with high accuracy compared to manual chart review. METHODS We developed automated, structured data-only versions of the Wells and revised Geneva risk scores to classify 212 ED encounters during which a CTPA was performed as "PE likely" or "PE unlikely." We then combined these classifications with D-dimer ordering data to assess each encounter as guideline concordant or discordant. The accuracy of these automated classifications and assessments of guideline concordance were determined by comparing them to classifications and concordance based on the complete Wells and revised Geneva scores derived via abstractor manual chart review. RESULTS The automatically derived Wells and revised Geneva risk classifications were 91.5 and 92% accurate compared to the manually determined classifications, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between guideline adherence calculated by the automated scores compared to manual chart review (Wells, 70.8% vs. 75%, p = 0.33; revised Geneva, 65.6% vs. 66%, p = 0.92). CONCLUSION The Wells and revised Geneva score risk classifications can be approximated with high accuracy using automated extraction of structured EHR data elements in patients who received a CTPA. Combining these automated scores with D-dimer ordering data allows for the automated assessment of clinical guideline adherence for CTPA ordering in the ED, without the burden of manual chart review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian A. Koziatek
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine NYU School of Medicine New York NY
| | - Emma Simon
- Department of Population Health NYU School of Medicine New York NY
- Center for Healthcare Innovation and Delivery Science NYU School of Medicine New York NY
| | - Leora I. Horwitz
- Department of Population Health NYU School of Medicine New York NY
- Center for Healthcare Innovation and Delivery Science NYU School of Medicine New York NY
- Department of Medicine NYU School of Medicine New York NY
| | - Danil V. Makarov
- Department of Population Health NYU School of Medicine New York NY
- Department of Urology NYU School of Medicine New York NY
| | - Silas W. Smith
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine NYU School of Medicine New York NY
| | - Simon Jones
- Department of Population Health NYU School of Medicine New York NY
| | | | - Jordan L. Swartz
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine NYU School of Medicine New York NY
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Age-adjusted D-dimer thresholds in the investigation of suspected pulmonary embolism: A retrospective evaluation in patients ages 50 and older using administrative data. CAN J EMERG MED 2018; 20:725-731. [DOI: 10.1017/cem.2018.389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
AbstractObjectivesD-dimer testing is an important component of the workup for pulmonary embolism (PE). However, age-related increases in D-dimer concentrations result in false positives in older adults, leading to potentially unnecessary imaging utilization. The objective of this study was to quantify the test characteristics of an age-adjusted D-dimer cut-off for ruling out PE in older patients investigated in actual clinical practice.MethodsThis observational study used administrative data from four emergency departments from July 2013 to January 2015. Eligible patients were ages 50 and older with symptoms of PE who underwent D-dimer testing. The primary outcome was 30-day diagnosis of PE, confirmed by imaging reports. Test characteristics of the D-dimer assay were calculated using the standard reference value (500 ng/ml), the local reference value (470 ng/ml), and an age-adjusted threshold (10 ng/ml × patient’s age).ResultsThis cohort includes 6,655 patients ages 50 and older undergoing D-dimer testing for a possible PE. Of these, 246 (3.7%) were diagnosed with PE. Age-adjusted D-dimer cut-offs were more specific than standard cut-offs (75.4% v. 63.8%) but less sensitive (90.3% v. 97.2%). The false-negative risk in this population was 0.49% using age-adjusted D-dimer cut-offs compared with 0.15% with traditional cut-offs.ConclusionAge-adjusted D-dimer cut-offs are substantially more specific than traditional cut-offs and may reduce CT utilization among older patients with suspected PE. We observed a loss of sensitivity, with an increased risk of false-negatives, using age-adjusted cut-offs. We encourage further evaluation of the safety and accuracy of age-adjusted D-dimer cut-offs in actual clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A Stamm
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Kenneth E Wood
- School of Medicine and Maryland Critical Care Network, University of Maryland Medical System, University of Maryland Medical Center, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Abstract
Importance Overuse of medical care is a well-recognized problem. Objective To identify and highlight original research articles published in 2016 that are most relevant to understanding medical overuse or strategies to reduce it. Evidence Review A structured review of English-language articles on PubMed published in 2016 coupled with examination of tables of contents of high-impact journals to identify articles related to medical overuse in adults. These articles were appraised for their importance to medicine. Findings This study considered 2252 articles, 1224 of which addressed medical overuse. Of these, 122 were deemed most relevant based on originality, methodologic quality, and number of patients potentially affected. The 10 most influential articles were selected by author consensus. Select findings from the studies include the lack of benefit of transesophageal echocardiography in the workup of cryptogenic stroke, increasing use of computed tomography in the emergency department from 2.2% to 9.4% from 2001 to 2010, and carotid ultrasonography and revascularization being performed for uncertain or inappropriate indications with 95% frequency. Likewise, services for which harms are likely to outweigh benefits include treatment for early-stage prostate cancer, which provides no mortality benefit but increases absolute risk of erectile dysfunction by 10% to 30%, oxygen for patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, surgery for meniscal tear with mechanical symptoms, and nutritional interventions for inpatients with malnutrition. This review highlights 2 methods for reducing overuse: clinician audit and feedback with peer comparison for antibiotic use (reduction in inappropriate antibiotic use from 20% to 4%) and a practical and sensible shared decision-making tool for low-risk chest pain (reduction in emergency department workup from 52% to 37%). Conclusions and Relevance The body of empirical work continues to expand related to medical services that are provided for inappropriate or uncertain indications. Engaging patients in conversations aimed at shared decision making and giving practitioners feedback about their performance relative to peers appear to be useful in reducing overuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Morgan
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore
- Department of Hospital Epidemiology, Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore
| | - Sanket S Dhruva
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Eric R Coon
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Scott M Wright
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Deborah Korenstein
- Department of Medicine and Center for Health Policy and Outcomes, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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Abstract
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). The clinical presentation of VTE is nonspecific and requires confirmatory testing. The most common diagnostic tool for DVT is duplex ultrasonography since it is a noninvasive test with high accuracy. Contrast venography is considered the gold standard modality to diagnose DVT, but it is an invasive test. Magnetic resonance venography and computed tomography venography are alternative diagnostic methods for DVT, which can be helpful in certain circumstances. Pulmonary embolism is commonly diagnosed by computed tomography pulmonary angiography. Ventilation perfusion scanning is an alternative imaging to diagnose PE in patients who cannot receive intravenous contrast. Pulmonary angiography is still the gold standard in the diagnosis of PE and is usually needed in specific conditions. D-dimer assay can be utilized in ruling VTE out in low-risk patients. Estimating the pretest clinical probability for having VTE is the key step in guiding the clinicians and nurses to the appropriate diagnostic method for patients with suspected DVT or PE.
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