[Pharmacological and mechanical thrombolysis in submassive pulmonary embolism]

Thromboembolic pulmonary disease is challenging for physicians when diagnosed in acute, sub-acute and chronic clinical patients, not only due to its morbi-mortality, but also because of its complex therapeutic management. Severity of the acute condition and potential commitment of right ventricular systolic function require therapeutic strategies, sometimes combined, in order to change the disease's course, optimizing patient survival. Pharmacological and mechanical thrombolysis are useful therapeutic tools for patients suffering from severe acute pulmonary embolism. This study refers to a young woman who developed a sub-massive pulmonary embolism, of sub-acute onset. She underwent the combined sequential therapeutic strategy of pharmacological and mechanical thrombolysis with successful outcome.

Open lung biopsy for diffuse disease in patients with and without previously transplanted solid organs

BACKGROUND

Studies on whether surgical lung biopsy (SLB) modifies the treatment of patients with diffuse lung disease are conflicting, and information is limited on whether it alters treatment in solid-organ transplant recipients. Our objective was to determine and compare the rate of treatment change after SLB for diffuse lung disease in patients with and without a history of solid-organ transplantation.

METHODS

Patients undergoing SLB for diffuse lung disease between March 2004 and March 2009 were identified. A retrospective review was performed.

RESULTS

Sixty patients had SLB. Thirty-four patients (57%) had solid-organ transplantation. Twenty of 60 patients (33%) had a change in treatment as a result of the findings of the SLB. No significant differences in the treatment change rate were found between the transplant and nontransplant groups (10 of 34 versus 10 of 26; p = 0.46). Transplant patients were more likely to be on mechanical ventilation at the time of SLB (12 of 34 versus 3 of 26; p = 0.03). Mechanical ventilatory support at the time of SLB was associated with increased postoperative complications (odds ratio, 6.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70 to 22.66; p = 0.006) and in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 9.75; 95% CI, 2.54 to 37.38; p = 0.001). Being on mechanical ventilation (hazard ratio, 3.91; 95% CI, 1.40 to 10.93; p = 0.009), a diagnosis of cancer (hazard ratio, 13.20; 95% CI, 2.87 to 60.78; p = 0.001), and a history of solid-organ transplantation (hazard ratio, 5.52; 95% CI, 1.08 to 28.14; p = 0.04) were independent predictors of survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical lung biopsy changes treatment in one third of patients, with no significant difference between patients without transplantation and solid-organ transplant recipients. Patients who undergo SLB while on mechanical ventilation have a significantly increased risk of postoperative complications and death.