How we dealt with the double whammy! Acute pulmonary embolism with abdominal aortic clot and renal infarcts

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third most common cause of cardiovascular mortality in the United States, and the submassive PE accounts for 20%-25% of all acute PE. In the last decade, endovascular therapy with catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) intervention has shown great success in the treatment of submassive PE. There is limited data regarding using these devices to treat patients with concomitant abdominal aortic and renal vessel clots. Herein, we present a case of a 23-year-old male who presented with submassive PE associated with abdominal aortic thrombosis and renal infarcts. The patient was successfully treated with CDT with complete resolution of pulmonary and bilateral renal artery clots.     

Endovascular therapy for acute pulmonary embolism

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third most common cause of death among hospitalized patients. Treatment escalation beyond anticoagulation therapy is necessary in patients with massive PE (defined by hemodynamic shock) as well as in many patients with submassive PE (defined by right ventricular strain). The best current evidence suggests that modern catheter-directed therapy to achieve rapid central clot debulking should be considered as an early or first-line treatment option for patients with acute massive PE; and emerging evidence suggests a catheter-directed thrombolytic infusion should be considered as adjunctive therapy for many patients with acute submassive PE. This article reviews the current approach to endovascular therapy for acute PE in the context of appropriate diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of acute massive and acute submassive PE.     

Continuous Aspiration Mechanical Thrombectomy for the Management of Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: A Single-Center Experience

The Indigo Mechanical Thrombectomy System (Penumbra, Inc, Alameda, California) was used to treat 6 patients with submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) and a contraindication to thrombolysis. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (58.2 mm Hg vs 43.0 mm Hg, P < .05), right ventricular/left ventricular ratio (1.7 vs 1.1, P < .05), Miller index (15.0 vs 9.8, P < 0.01), and CT obstructive index (60.4% vs 47.0%, P < .01) were significantly reduced after mechanical thrombectomy. There were no procedural or periprocedural complications. Continuous aspiration mechanical thrombectomy is a feasible and promising technique for management of submassive PE to decrease thrombus burden and reduce right heart strain.     

A Survey of Submassive Pulmonary Embolism Treatment Preferences among Medical and Endovascular Physicians

Purpose

To determine treatment preferences among endovascular and medical physicians who manage acute submassive pulmonary embolism (PE).

Preservation of Cardiopulmonary Function in Patients Treated with Ultrasound-Accelerated Thrombolysis in the Setting of Submassive Pulmonary Embolism

PurposeTo evaluate the clinical effectiveness of ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis (USAT) in resolution of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), preservation of cardiopulmonary function, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with acute submassive pulmonary embolism (PE).Materials and MethodsA single-center prospective study of patients presenting with acute PE and signs of RVD, as determined by right ventricle-to-left ventricle diameter ratio (RV:LV) > 0.9 on computed tomographic angiography of the thorax, was performed. Patients underwent USAT with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. Primary endpoints measured were RV:LV by echocardiogram at baseline presentation and at 72 hours and 90 days after treatment. Secondary endpoints were QoL scores assessed by SF-36 Health Surveys at baseline and at 90 days, cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) parameters at 90 days, and procedural outcomes, including response of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and procedural complications.ResultsTwenty-five patients were treated between June 17, 2013, and September 15, 2014, with mean reduction of RV:LV by echocardiogram from 1.38 ± 0.28 at presentation to 0.92 ± 0.14 (P < .0001) at 72 hours and 0.84 ± 0.25 (P < .0001) at 90 days. SF-36 Health Survey scores demonstrated no long-term self-perceived adverse physical or mental effects as a result of PE. CPET parameters, including VO2_max, weight-adjusted VO2, VE/VCO2, and VD/VT demonstrated no pulmonary vascular impairment at 90 days. PAP significantly improved after USAT, with mean initial systolic pressure of 50.46 ± 13.98 mmHg reduced to 39.64 ± 8.66 mmHg (P = .0001). There were no deaths, recurrent venous thromboembolism, hemodynamic decompensation, or hemorrhage.ConclusionsUSAT resulted in significant reduction of RV:LV at 72 hours, which was preserved at 90 days. QoL and objective measures of cardiopulmonary function are preserved at 90 days in this population. Further studies with long-term follow-up are needed to determine the potential value of USAT for the prevention of post-PE syndrome in patients with submassive PE.     

Safety and Efficacy of Acute Pulmonary Embolism Treated via Large-Bore Aspiration Mechanical Thrombectomy Using the Inari FlowTriever Device

PurposeTo report initial experience with safety and efficacy in the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE) using the FlowTriever device.Materials and MethodsA single-center retrospective study was performed in all patients with acute central PE treated using the FlowTriever device between March 2018 and March 2019. A total of 46 patients were identified (massive = 8; submassive = 38), all with right ventricular (RV) strain and 26% with thrombolytic contraindications. Technical success (according to SIR reporting guidelines) and clinical success (defined as mean pulmonary artery pressure intraprocedural improvement) are reported, as are major device and procedure-related complications within 30 days after discharge.ResultsTechnical success was achieved in 100% of cases (n = 46). Average mean pulmonary artery pressure improved significantly from before to after the procedure for the total population (33.9 ± 8.9 mm Hg before, 27.0 ± 9.0 mm Hg after; P < .0001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.0–8.8), submassive cohort (34.7 ± 9.1 mm Hg before, 27.4 ± 9.2 mm Hg after; P < .0001; 95% CI, 5.2–9.5) and massive cohort (30.4 ± 6.9 mm Hg before, 25.4 ± 8.2 mm Hg after; P < .05; 95% CI:0.4–9.6). Intraprocedural reduction in mean pulmonary artery pressure was achieved in 88% (n = 37 of 42). A total of 100% of patients (n = 46 of 46) survived to hospital discharge. In total, 71% of patients (n = 27 of 38) experienced intraprocedural reduction in supplemental oxygen requirements. Two major adverse events (4.6%) included hemoptysis requiring intubation, and procedure-related blood loss requiring transfusion. No delayed procedure-related complications or deaths occurred within 30 days of hospital discharge.ConclusionsInitial clinical experience using the FlowTriever to perform mechanical thrombectomy showed encouraging trends with respect to safety and efficacy for the treatment of acute central, massive, and submassive pulmonary embolism.     

急性下肢动脉栓塞行置管溶栓的护理干预

目的 探讨护理干预对急性下肢动脉栓塞患者行置管溶栓的护理效果.方法 回顾性分析48例急性下肢动脉栓塞患者行置管溶栓治疗的护理经验.结果 患者在护理干预下积极配合治疗,40例患者栓塞动脉完全开通,8例部分开通.临床症状完全缓解42例,部分缓解6例.结论 术前充分的准备工作,术中术后的精心护理观察,术后患肢锻炼的正确指导,...     

Unplanned 30-Day Readmissions after Management of Submassive and Massive Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Catheter-Directed versus Systemic Thrombolysis

PurposeTo compare 30-day readmission and in-hospital outcomes from the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) for catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) versus systemic intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) as treatments for acute submassive or massive pulmonary embolism (PE).Materials and MethodsThe NRD was queried from 2016 to 2019 for adult patients with nonseptic acute PE who underwent IVT or CDT. Massive PE was distinguished from submassive PE if patients had concurrent International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes corresponding to mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, or shock. Propensity score–matched analysis was conducted to infer the association of CDT versus IVT in unplanned 30-day readmissions, nonroutine discharge, gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). These results are demonstrated as average treatment effects (ATEs) of IVT compared with those of CDT.ResultsA total of 37,116 patients with acute PE were studied; 18,702 (50.3%) underwent CDT, and 18,414 (49.7%) underwent IVT. A total of 2,083 (11.1%) and 3,423 (18.6%) were massive PEs in the 2 groups, respectively (P < .001). The ATE of IVT was higher than that of CDT regarding unplanned 30-day readmissions (ATE, 0.019; P < .001), GIB (ATE, 0.012; P < .001), ICH (ATE, 0.003; P = .017), and nonroutine discharge (ATE, 0.022; P = .006). The subgroup analysis of patients with submassive PE demonstrated that IVT had a higher ATE regarding unplanned 30-day readmission (ATE, 0.028; P < .001), GIB (ATE, 0.008; P = .003), ICH (ATE, 0.002; P = .035), and nonroutine discharge (ATE, 0.019; P = .022) than CDT.ConclusionsCDT had a lower likelihood of unplanned 30-day readmissions, including when stratified by a submassive PE subtype. Additionally, adverse events, including ICH and GIB, were more likely among patients who received IVT than among those who received CDT.     

回顾性心电门控多层螺旋CT对急性肺栓塞右心室功能障碍及溶栓前后右心室功能变化的评价

目的 应用ECG门控MSCT前瞻性对中心型急性肺动脉栓塞(APE)患者右心功能障碍及静脉溶栓前后右心功能变化进行评价.方法 96名可疑APE患者进行了ECG门控MSCT胸痛三联检查,25例确诊为中心型肺栓塞.行胸痛三联检查无心肺疾患且性别、年龄匹配的25例作为对照组.APE患者于静脉溶栓后复查MSCT,评价右心功能恢复情况.测量参数包括横断面舒张期的右心室(RV)及左心室(LV)短轴最大内径,RV及LV舒张末期容积(EDV)、收缩末期容积(ESV)、射血分数(EF)、主肺动脉/主动脉直径比.应用单因素方差分析,如果有统计学意义,则采用两两组间q检验.结果 对照组的右心室EDV、ESV、EF值、收缩末期RV/LV容积比、横断面RV/LV内径比及主肺动脉/主动脉直径比分别为(15O.5±24.1)ml、(71.5±18.5)ml、(53.5±4.2)%、1.08±0.04、1.01±0.04及0.99±0.02,中心型APE患者溶栓前以上各值分别为(190.3±16.2)ml、(128.1±13.2)ml、(32.7±3.6)%、2.00±0.26、1.30±0.09及1.34±0.11,溶栓后分别为(159.2±21.5)ml、(80.7±9.4)ml、(49.2±5.9)%、1.22±0.25、1.02±0.02及1.02±0.11.中心型APE患者与对照组比较,右心室ESV(q=6.28,P<0.01)及EDV均增大(q=7.59,P<0.01),EF减小(q=4.82,P<0.01),收缩末期RV/LV容积比增大(q=6.04,P<0.01),横断面RV/LV内径比(q=4.43,P<0.01)及主肺动脉/主动脉直径比增大(q=4.36,P<0.01),左心室EDV减小.中心型APE患者静脉溶栓后,与溶栓前比较,右心室ESV(q=5.03,P<0.01)及EDV减小(q=6.11,P<0.01),EF增加(q=6.29,P<0.01),收缩末期RV/LV容积比减小(q=4.74,P<0.01),横断面RV/LV内径比(q=3.83,P<0.01)及主肺动脉/主动脉直径比减小(q=3.46,P<0.01),左心室EDV增大(q=4.01,P<0.01).结论 回顾性ECG门控MSCT胸痛三联检查可同时检测APE和测量左右心功能,排除其他胸痛疾病,评价溶栓疗效.     

Ultrasound-Accelerated,Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis for Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: Single-Center Retrospective Review with Intermediate-Term Outcomes

PurposeTo evaluate ultrasound-accelerated, catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for treatment of acute submassive pulmonary embolism (PE).Materials and MethodsThis single-center, retrospective study included patients who underwent CDT for acute submassive PE (N = 113, 52% men/48% women) from 2013 to 2017. Baseline characteristics included history of deep venous thrombosis (12%), history of PE (6%), and history of cancer (18%). Of cohort patients, 88% (n=99) had a simplified PE severity index score of ≥ 1 indicating a high risk of mortality.ResultsA technical success rate of 100% was achieved with 84% of patients having bilateral catheter placements. Average tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) therapy duration was 20.7 hours ± 1.5, and median tPA dose was 21.5 mg. Three patients (2.6%) experienced minor hemorrhagic complications. Mean hospital length of stay was 6 days. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure decreased from 55 mm Hg on presentation to 37 mm Hg (P < .01) 1 day following initiation of thrombolytic therapy. All-cause mortality rate of 4% (n = 4) was noted on discharge, which increased to 6% (n = 7) at 6 months. At 6-month follow-up compared with initial presentation, symptom improvements (93%), physiologic improvements (heart rate 72 beats/min vs 106 beats/min, P < .01), oxygen requirement improvements (fraction of inspired oxygen 20% vs 28%, P < .01), and right ventricular systolic pressure improvements by echocardiography (30 mm Hg vs 47 mm Hg, P < .01) were observed.ConclusionsCDT for acute submassive PE was associated with low complications and mortality, decreased right ventricular systolic pressure, high rates of clinical improvement, and improved intermediate-term clinical outcomes.     

Severity assessment of acute pulmonary embolism: role of CT angiography

Helical CT has gained wide acceptance in the noninvasive diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (APE) and has therefore largely replaced conventional pulmonary angiography as well as ventilation perfusion scan in the work-up of patients suspected of nonsevere pulmonary embolism (PE). Massive PE is life-threatening; its occurrence may require aggressive treatment such as thrombolysis or embolectomy. Identification of patients suffering from major thromboembolic events based solely on clinical grounds may, however, be difficult. Acute right heart failure is the principal cause of circulatory collapse and death for patients with massive PE, and rapid and specific diagnosis and therapy are required in such patients. Bedside echocardiography, a commonly performed first-line examination, demonstrates signs of cor pulmonale, if present, and can identify large central thrombi. However, echocardiography has limitations. In this review, our goal is to discuss the potential role of CT in assessing patients with severe APE. CT evaluation is based on the direct quantification of pulmonary arterial bed obstruction using various scores and the evaluation of morphological heart changes indicating acute cor pulmonale.     

Aspiration Thrombectomy for Treatment of Acute Massive and Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: Initial Single-Center Prospective Experience

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility of aspiration thrombectomy in patients with acute massive or submassive pulmonary embolism (PE).

Repeat angiography in patients undergoing conventional catheter-directed thrombolysis for submassive pulmonary embolism: a large single-center experience

PURPOSEFew studies have examined conventional catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for the treatment of submassive pulmonary embolism (PE). Moreover, angiographic resolution of thrombus burden following CDT has infrequently been characterized. This study describes a single-center experience treating submassive PE with CDT while utilizing repeat angiography to determine treatment effectiveness.METHODSA retrospective analysis of 140 consecutive patients who underwent CDT for submassive PE from December 2012 to June 2019 was performed. Angiographic resolution of thrombus burden after CDT was reported as high (>75%), moderate (51%–75%), low (26%–50%), or insignificant (≤25%). All angiograms were reviewed by two interventional radiologists. Secondary endpoints included reduction in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and clinical outcomes. Bleeding events were classified according to the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) adverse event criteria.RESULTSCDT was performed in 140 patients with a mean recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) dose of 25.3 mg and a mean treatment time of 26.0 hours. Angiographic resolution of thrombus burden was high in 70.0%, moderate in 19.3%, low in 5.7%, and insignificant in 3.6%; in 2 patients (1.4%) repeat angiography was not performed. Systolic PAP was reduced (47 vs. 35 mmHg, p < 0.001), mean PAP was reduced (25 vs. 21 mmHg, p < 0.001), and 129 patients (92.1%) improved clinically. Patients with high or moderate resolution of thrombus burden had a clinical improvement rate of 95.2%, while patients with low or insignificant thrombus burden resolution had a clinical improvement rate of 76.9% (p = 0.011). Ten patients (7.1%) had hemodynamic or respiratory decompensation requiring mechanical ventilation, systemic thrombolysis, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or surgical intervention. Seven patients (5.0%) experienced moderate bleeding events and one patient (0.7%) with metastatic disease developed severe gastrointestinal bleeding that resulted in death. Thirty-day mortality was 1.4%.CONCLUSIONIn patients with submassive PE undergoing CDT, angiographic resolution of thrombus burden is a safe and directly observable metric that can be used to determine procedural success. In this study, CDT with repeat angiography was associated with a 5.7% bleeding event rate and 30-day mortality of 1.4%.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, with an estimated 300 000–600 000 cases per year resulting in 100 000–180 000 deaths (1). Among patients with acute PE, there is significant heterogeneity in clinical presentation. Submassive or intermediate-risk PE comprises at least 25% of PE cases and has a 30-day mortality rate of approximately 2%–3% (2–5). Patients with submassive PE have signs of right ventricle (RV) dysfunction demonstrated on imaging studies or elevated cardiac biomarkers (6). Several catheter-directed therapies for submassive PE have been explored, including conventional catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT), ultrasound-assisted CDT (UACDT), and various types of mechanical thrombectomy.UACDT has been the subject of multiple investigations and is effective in reducing pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and right ventricular to left ventricular (RV/LV) ratio in patients with submassive or massive PE (7–9). Despite the recent focus on UACDT, conventional CDT remains an effective treatment option and several authors have demonstrated no differences between UACDT and conventional CDT in terms of thrombolytic dose, bleeding complications, PAP reduction, follow-up echocardiographic findings, or mortality (7, 10–12). Mechanical thrombectomy devices are of particular interest in treating PE since they reduce PAP, RV/LV ratio, and thrombus burden with a low risk of bleeding events (13, 14).Currently there is little in the literature to recommend the routine use of CDT for submassive PE, and endpoints evaluating the effectiveness of CDT in this indication have been inconsistent (15). Several studies have used reductions in PAP or RV/LV ratio as endpoints, while others have focused on improvement of clinical symptoms (8, 9, 16–18). The goal of this study was to describe a single-center experience treating submassive PE with conventional CDT while utilizing repeat angiography to determine treatment effectiveness. In addition, this study attempted to contribute to the standardization of terms that describe angiographic resolution of thrombus burden.     

溶栓加抗凝疗法与单纯抗凝疗法对次大面积肺栓塞的疗效及远期预后的影响

目的分析次大面积肺栓塞症患者行溶栓或抗凝治疗的有效性及安全性,并随访1年,观察远期无事件生存率。方法将确诊的106例次大面积肺栓塞症患者随机分为两组,A组(n=51)予以尿激酶20 000 U/kg静脉滴注。溶栓结束后,开始予以皮下注射低分子量肝素治疗,并重叠口服华法林,尔后单纯应用华法林,直至INR达到2~3。B组(n=55)只用低分子量肝素和华法林抗凝,用法同A组。观察疗效并随访1年,观察主要终点事件(再发肺栓塞、严重出血及死亡)发生率。结果两组一般情况、基础临床情况均无显著差异(P>0.05)。A组51例用尿激酶溶栓和低分子量肝素抗凝治疗者,46例有效(90.2%),有1例(1.9%)患者发生脑出血;B组55例单用低分子量肝素抗凝治疗者,37例有效(67.3%),无严重出血发生。随访1年时,A组有4例(13.7%)发生主要终点事件,B组有6例(14.5%)发生主要终点事件,两组之间无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论联合应用尿激酶溶栓和低分子量肝素抗凝治疗次大面积肺栓塞症患者安全、有效,但与单用低分子量肝素抗凝治疗相比,其并不能改善1年后的无事件生存率。     

单纯经皮机械祛栓治疗急性大面积肺栓塞的临床应用

目的评价单纯介入机械祛栓在治疗急性大面积肺栓塞(PE)方面的临床疗效和安全性。方法回顾性收集2003年1月到2008年1月经皮机械碎栓(PMT)或(和)Straub Rotarex系统祛栓治疗急性大面积PE病例6例。结果6例患者的肺动脉主干血流得以再通且临床症状改善。介入术后,患者SaO2从术前79.5%±5.3%增加至92.8%±3.4%(P<0.01);PaO2从术前从(58.0±9.8)mmHg增加至(88.7±4.1)mmHg(P<0.01);术后患者的平均肺动脉压(PAP)从(40.8±7.8)mmHg降至(29.8±8.0)mmHg(P<0.01);Miller指数从术前的0.54±0.03降至术后的0.18±0.07(P<0.01)。在完成临床随访的4例患者中,1～5年内均未有PE复发。结论初步临床经验显示单纯PMT是治疗急性大面积PE的一种简单、有效、安全的方法,尤其是针对有溶栓禁忌证的患者。     

Catheter-directed thrombolysis with the Endowave system in the treatment of acute massive pulmonary embolism: a retrospective multicenter case series

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of thrombolysis with the EndoWave peripheral infusion system in the treatment of patients with massive pulmonary embolism (PE) as compared to patients treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients (five men and five women; age range, 31-85 years; mean age, 54.20 years) with massive acute PE (17 lesions) were treated with ultrasonography (US)-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis with the Endowave system. All patients had hypoxia and dyspnea. No patient had contraindication for thrombolysis. Angiographic findings, duration of lysis, dose of thrombolytics used, and procedural complications were recorded. Thrombolytics used were urokinase, tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), and Reteplase. RESULTS: Complete thrombus removal was achieved in 13 of the 17 lesions (76%), near complete thrombolysis was achieved in three lesions (18%), and partial thrombolysis was achieved in one lesion (6%). The mean time of thrombolysis was 24.76 hours +/- 8.44 (median, 24 hours). The mean dose of tPA used for the Endowave group was 0.88 mg/h +/- 0.19 (13 lesions). CONCLUSIONS: US-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis is an effective method for treating massive thrombolysis. It has the potential to shorten the time of lysis and lower the dose of thrombolytics.     

Nationwide Trends in Use of Catheter-Directed Therapy for Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism in Medicare Beneficiaries from 2004 to 2016

PurposeTo evaluate changes in the use of catheter-directed therapy (CDT) for pulmonary embolism (PE) treatment with attention to primary operator specialty in the Medicare population.MethodsUsing a 5% national sample of Medicare claims data from 2004 to 2016, all claims associated with PE were identified. The annual volume of 2 billable CDT services—arterial mechanical thrombectomy and transcatheter arterial infusion for thrombolysis—were determined to evaluate changes in CDT use and primary CDT operator specialty over time.ResultsThe total number of CDT procedures increased over the course of the study period, representing 0.457 and 5.057 service counts per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries in 2004 and 2016, respectively. The proportion of PEs treated with CDT increased 10-fold from 2004 to 2016, increasing from 0.1% to 1.0%. Interventional radiologists performed most CDT therapies each year, with the exception of 2010 when vascular surgeons performed more. In 2016, interventional radiologists performed 3.54 CDT services for PE per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries, which was 70% of total CDT for PE procedures, followed by interventional cardiologists and vascular surgeons performing 0.92 services (18%) and 0.60 services (12%), respectively.ConclusionsCDT is an increasingly used treatment for PE, with a 10-fold increase from 2004 to 2016. Interventional radiologists are the dominant providers of these services, followed by interventional cardiologists and vascular surgeons.     

Evaluation of Fibrinogen Levels during Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis for Acute Pulmonary Embolism

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) on plasma fibrinogen levels (PFLs) in the setting of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and the relationship between PFL and hemorrhagic complications.Materials and MethodsA retrospective review of CDT procedures between 2009 and 2019 identified 147 CDT procedures for massive or submassive PE (55.8% males; age, 56.5 ± 14.8 years; 90.5% submassive). All patients received therapeutic anticoagulation during CDT with unfractionated heparin (UFH) (69.4%) or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH, 30.6%) infusion. CDT was performed with ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis (USAT) catheters (n = 98), conventional catheter-directed thrombolysis (CCDT) catheters (n = 34), or a combination of both (n = 15).ResultsThere was a decrease (P = .007) of 15.1 ± 69.4 mg/dl from the initial PFL (376.1 ± 122.7 mg/dl) to the final PFL (361 ± 118.7 mg/dl), which was measured after a mean of 24.1 ± 11.7 hours with a mean tPA dose of 28.3 ± 14.2 mg. The fibrinogen nadir was 327.6 ± 107.1 mg/dl measured 13.4 ± 10.3 hours after initiation of thrombolysis. Of patients with hemorrhagic complications (n = 6), initial, final, and nadir PFL were not significantly lower (P = .053, P = .081, and P = .086, respectively) than the remainder of the cohort. No significant difference was noted in initial and final PFL between the LMWH and UFH groups (P = .2 and P = .1, respectively) or between the CCDT and USAT groups (P = .5 and P = .9, respectively). The UFH group had a lower nadir PFL than the LMWH group (P = .03).ConclusionsDespite a significant drop in PFL during CDT for acute PE, this was not associated with hemorrhagic complications. These findings were not affected by the choice of anticoagulant or catheter delivery system.     

Ultrasound-Assisted Thrombolysis in Submassive and Massive Pulmonary Embolism: Assessment of Lung Obstruction Before and After Catheter-Directed Therapy

Purpose

New treatment guidelines support the use of catheter-directed therapy for both massive and submassive pulmonary embolism (PE). This study examines the safety and effectiveness of ultrasound-accelerated (UA) thrombolysis, for which prompt treatment is warranted to rapidly resolve thrombus and restore cardiopulmonary function.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed ten consecutive, acute submassive/massive PE patients. All patients exhibited acute symptoms and computed tomography evidence of large thrombus burden and evidence of right-ventricular (RV) dysfunction and/or failure. Patients were followed-up with posttreatment echocardiography (n = 7) and CT (n = 9) to evaluate right heart dysfunction and thrombus burden, respectively. Thrombolytic treatment was performed in all patients using the EkoSonic Endovascular system. Clinical outcomes and complications, RV pressures, and thrombus removal were evaluated. Paired Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed to analyze the pretreatment and posttreatment measures; p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Median thrombolytic dose was 18.0 mg tissue plasminogen activator infused over 20.8 h. There was a significant decrease in pretreatment and posttreatment RV pressures (52.0–30.0; p < 0.01); there was a significant decrease in pretreatment and posttreatment Mastora obstructive indices (74–43; p < 0.01). All patients improved clinically shortly after treatment onset. All ten patients survived to discharge with a median intensive care (ICU) stay of 4 days and 14 hospital days.

Conclusion

UA thrombolysis is promising in massive and submassive PE treatment and shows safe results. Patients showed improved thrombus burden, and rapid improvement in right cardiac function, whereas minimizing bleeding risk and ICU time were minimized. This results of this study provide the foundation for future comparative studies in treatment of large PEs.

     

Pulmonary artery CTA

The latest with the introduction of multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT), CT has been firmly established as the modality of choice for imaging the pulmonary arteries, particularly as the de facto first line test for imaging patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Before the introduction of MDCT, remaining concerns regarding CTs accuracy for diagnosis of isolated peripheral emboli had prevented the unanimous acceptance of this test as the reference standard for imaging PE. After a decade of uncertainty, there is now conclusive evidence that CT, if positive, provides reliable confirmation of the presence of PE and, more importantly, if negative effectively rules out clinically significant PE. Current endeavors to streamline and facilitate workflow for CT diagnosis of PE will further improve the acceptance, utility, and importance of this test. Examples include improvements in workflow, CT derivation of right ventricular function parameters for triage and prognostication of patients with acute PE and the comprehensive assessment of patients with acute chest pain for PE, coronary disease, aortic disease, and pulmonary disease by means of a single, contrast enhanced, ECG-synchronized CT scan. Although the diagnosis or exclusion of acute PE is the most common and important application of CT pulmonary angiography, the ease of scan acquisition and the high spatial resolution of modern CT techniques make this test ideally suited for the greatest majority of congenital and acquired, acute and chronic disorders of the pulmonary arteries.