Prevalence of increased cardiac troponin I levels in patients with and without acute pulmonary embolism and relation of increased cardiac troponin I levels with in-hospital mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism

Cardiac troponin I levels were increased in 24 of 147 patients (16%) with documented acute pulmonary embolism and in 20 of 594 patients (3%) without pulmonary embolism (p <0.001). In patients with acute pulmonary embolisms, 8 of 24 (33%) with increased cardiac troponin I levels and 9 of 123 (7%) with normal cardiac troponin I levels died during hospitalization (p <0.001).     

Rheolytic thrombectomy in patients with massive and submassive acute pulmonary embolism

Objectives : To appraise the impact of AngioJet rheolytic thrombectomy (RT) on angiographic and clinical endpoints in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Background : The management of patients with acute PE and hemodynamic compromise, based mainly on anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapies, is challenging and still suboptimal in many patients. In such a setting, mechanical removal of thrombus from pulmonary circulation holds the promise of significant clinical benefits, albeit remains under debate. Methods : We retrospectively report on 51 patients referred to our catheterization laboratory and treated with AngioJet RT. Patients were classified according to the degree of hemodynamic compromise (shock, hypotension, and right ventricular dysfunction) to explore thoroughly the degree of angiographic pulmonary involvement (angiographic massive PE was defined as the presence of a Miller index ≥ 17) and the impact on angiographic (obstruction, perfusion, and Miller indexes) and clinical (all‐cause death, recurrence of PE, bleeding, renal failure, and severe thrombocytopenia) endpoints of AngioJet RT. Results : Angiographic massive PE was present in all patients with shock, whereas patients with right ventricular dysfunction and hypotension showed a similar substantial pulmonary vascular bed involvement. Technical success was obtained in 92.2% of patients, with a significant improvement in obstruction, perfusion and Miller indexes in each subgroup (all P < 0.0001). Four patients reported major bleedings and eight (15.7%) died in‐hospital. Laboratory experience was significantly associated to a lower rate of major bleedings. All survivors were alive at long‐term follow‐up (35.5 ± 21.7 months) except three who expired due to cancer and acute myocardial infarction. Conclusions : In experienced hands AngioJet RT can be operated safely and effectively in most patients with acute PE, either massive or submassive, and substantial involvement of pulmonary vascular bed. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Elevated circulating cardiac troponin I in patients with cirrhosis

It has been shown that certain patients with cirrhosis have asymptomatic cardiac abnormalities that have not yet been explained. Thus, cardiac troponin I, a specific marker of myocardial injury, has been measured in patients with cirrhosis without previous cardiac disease. Thirty-two consecutive patients (age 49 +/- 11) with cirrhosis and normal ECG were selected, 22 of which were alcoholic. Hemodynamic investigations were performed. Left ventricular function and mass were evaluated by echocardiography. Serum creatine kinase MB mass, myoglobin, and cardiac troponin I concentrations were measured. Cardiac troponin I concentrations were elevated in 10 patients (32%) (range 0.06-0.25 microg/L) whereas creatine kinase MB mass and myoglobin were normal in all patients. Abnormal troponin I values were not related to the severity of cirrhosis, to the degree of portal hypertension, or to other hemodynamic values. In contrast, elevated serum cardiac troponin I concentrations were related to a decreased stroke-volume index (P <. 05) and a decreased left ventricular mass (P <.05). These results show a high prevalence of slightly elevated serum cardiac troponin I in patients with cirrhosis, especially in those with alcoholic cirrhosis. Elevated troponin I is associated with subclinical left ventricular myocardial damage. These findings may be linked to a lack of left ventricular adaptation in certain patients with cirrhosis and alcoholic cardiomyopathy.     

Catheter-directed,ultrasound-facilitated fibrinolysis in obese patients with massive and submassive pulmonary embolism

Obesity is a well-established risk factor for pulmonary embolism (PE). However, treatment of PE in obese patients is challenging because of limited outcomes data, especially with advanced therapies such as catheter-based fibrinolysis. We assessed the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-facilitated, catheter-directed fibrinolysis in obese patients with submassive and massive PE enrolled in the SEATTLE II Trial. Eligible patients had a right ventricular-to-left ventricular (RV/LV) diameter ratio?≥?0.9 on chest computed tomography (CT). The primary efficacy outcome was the change in chest CT-measured RV/LV diameter ratio at 48 h after procedure initiation. The primary safety outcome was GUSTO major bleeding within 72 h. One-hundred and four patients were obese, as defined by a BMI?≥?30 kg/m², and 44 were non-obese. Mean RV/LV ratio was greater in obese patients at baseline compared with non-obese patients (1.60 vs. 1.43, p?=?0.02). Reduction in RV/LV diameter ratio at 48 h was greater in obese patients compared with non-obese patients (absolute reduction: ??0.47 vs. ??0.30, p?=?0.01; relative reduction: ??26 vs. ??18%, p?=?0.03). Major bleeding occurred in 12 (12%) of obese patients and in 3 (7%) in non-obese patients (p?=?0.55). In conclusion, ultrasound-facilitated, catheter-directed fibrinolysis shows promise in obese patients for whom advanced therapy for acute PE is warranted.     

肌钙蛋白T与N端B型尿钠肽前体对急性肺栓塞患者危险分层的意义

目的探讨联合检测生化标记物肌钙蛋白T（cTnT）和N端B型尿钠肽前体（NT—proBNP）水平对急性肺栓塞（APE）患者进行危险分层及预后判断的临床意义。方法根据血浆cTnT和NT—proBNP水平将59例APE患者分为3组：1组（14例）,cTnT〈0．1ng／ml,NT—proBNP〈100pg／ml;2组（28例）,cTnT≥0．1ng／ml或NT—proBNP≥100pg／ml;3组（17例）,cTnT≥0．1ng／ml且NT-proBNP≥100pg／ml,分析cTnT和（或）NT—proBNP升高对APE患者危险分层与临床预后的关系。结果三组间动脉血PaO2、P（A—a）O2比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。进行两两比较,1、3组动脉血PaO2、P（A—a）O2分别与其他各组相比差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。1组、2组、3组预后不良者分别为0（0％）、7例（25．0％）、9例（52．9％）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。59例APE患者中临床不良事件发生组与无临床不良事件组比较,PaO2、cTnT、NT—proBNP水平差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论联合检测cTnT和NT—proBNP在APE患者早期危险分层、指导临床决策及预后判断中具有重要价值。     

Diagnostic utility of cardiac troponin-I levels in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism

Although positive troponin-I (TnI) assays have been reported in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), TnI levels in patients with suspected PE have not been evaluated systematically. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of TnI measurements in patients with suspected PE. Consecutive patients with suspected PE were identified in whom nuclear ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scans were performed and TnI levels were measured. TnI levels in patients with and without positive V/Q scans were compared by use of t tests. After categorizing TnI levels as positive (TnI-pos, > or = 0.40 ng/mL) or negative, chi-square tests were used to relate these values to V/Q scan results. Separate comparisons were made for subjects with high-probability V/Q scans (V/Q-high, > or = 90% likelihood of PE) and intermediate- or high-probability V/Q scans (V/Q-pos, > or = 50% likelihood of PE). The mean TnI level in the 10 subjects with V/Q-high scans was 0.39 +/-0.79 ng/mL. The mean TnI level in the 81 subjects without V/Q-high scans was 0.36 +/-0.66 ng/mL (p=0.89). TnI levels did not differ between the 22 V/Q-pos subjects and the 69 subjects with negative V/Q scans (p = 0.86). A positive TnI in the setting of V/Q-pos had a sensitivity of 32%, specificity of 71%, positive predictive value of 26%, and a negative predictive value = 77% (chi-square = 0.06, p = 0.80). Elevated TnI levels are not associated with positive V/Q scans. The TnI assay is not a useful test in patients suspected of having PE, unless used to exclude myocardial ischemia or infarction.     

Normal D-dimer levels in patients with pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is frequently evaluated in acute care settings. Despite this, the clinical diagnosis of PE is difficult. Results of ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scans may be inconclusive, and pulmonary angiograms (PAGs) are cumbersome, involve risk, and are often unavailable. Using PAG as the standard criterion, we evaluated the relationship between PE, V/Q scans, and semiquantitative latex agglutination (LA) D-dimer levels. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients who underwent V/Q scanning for suspected PE were enrolled; based on the results of the scans, the patients were scheduled for PAG. Blood samples were drawn for LA D-dimer assays during the PAGs at Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver, Colo, from January 1, 1996, to February 1, 1997. A detailed medical record review was performed for all enrollees. RESULTS: The mean+/-SEM patient age was 56.6+/-1.9 years; 52 (53%) were men, 13 (13%) had cancer, 23 (23%) had undergone surgery within 30 days of their PAG, and 13 (13%) were receiving warfarin sodium. There were no differences in warfarin therapy, hypercoaguable state, or cancer prevalence between patients with negative and positive PAGs (P = .53). Ventilation-perfusion scan results were available for all study patients. Eight (27%) of 30 patients who had positive angiogram results had LA D-dimer levels less than 250 ng/mL. Patients with positive PAGs (n = 30) had the following V/Q scan results: normal, 0; low probability, 7; intermediate or indeterminate probability, 22; and high probability, 1. In patients with low-probability V/Q scan results (n = 34), a positive D-dimer result for PE (>250 ng/mL) had a sensitivity of 71.4% (95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.97) and a negative predictive value of 87.5% (95% confidence interval, 0.62-0.98). We found a significant difference in D-dimer levels in patients with an abnormal angiogram result (mean, 750 ng/mL) compared with patients with a normal angiogram result (mean, 250 ng/mL) (P= .01, chi2 test). CONCLUSIONS: Eight patients had normal D-dimer levels with angiographic evidence of PE. Algorithms in acute care settings have been proposed; they exclude PE with normal D-dimer levels using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. These cannot be extrapolated to the more widely used LA assays. A normal LA D-dimer level alone or with V/Q scan results is not recommended to preclude the treatment of PE.     

Clinical usefulness and prognostic value of elevated cardiac troponin I levels in acute pulmonary embolism

Background

Right ventricular myocardial ischemia and injury contribute to right ventricular dysfunction and failure during acute pulmonary embolism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in the assessment of right ventricular involvement and short-term prognosis in acute pulmonary embolism

Methods

Thirty-eight patients with acute pulmonary embolism were included in the study. Clinical characteristics, right ventricular involvement, and clinical outcome were compared in patients with elevated levels of serum cTnI versus patients with normal levels of serum cTnI.

Results

Among the study population (n = 38 patients), 18 patients (47%) had elevated cTnI levels (mean ± SD 1.6 ± 0.7 ng/mL, range 0.7-3.7 ng/mL, median, 1.4 ng/mL), and comprised the cTnI-positive group. In the other 20 patients, the serum cTnI levels were normal (≤0.4 ng/mL), and they comprised the cTnI-negative group. In the cTnI-positive group (n = 18 patients), 12 patients (67%) had right ventricular dilatation/hypokinesia, compared with 3 patients (15%) in the cTnI-negative group (n = 20 patients, P = .004). Right ventricular systolic pressure was significantly higher in the cTnI-positive group (51 ± 8 mm Hg vs 40 ± 9 mm Hg, P = .002). Cardiogenic shock developed in a significantly higher number of patients with elevated serum cTnI levels (33% vs 5%, P = .01). In patients with elevated cTnI levels, the odds ratio for development of cardiogenic shock was 8.8 (95% CI 2.5-21).

Conclusions

Patients with acute pulmonary embolism with elevated serum cTnI levels are at a higher risk for the development of right ventricular dysfunction and cardiogenic shock. Serum cTnI has a role in risk stratification and short-term prognostication in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.     

Treatment of acute massive/submassive pulmonary embolism.

Thirty-five consecutive patients with massive and submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) were reviewed. In 75% of these cases, PE could be suspected on the basis of electrocardiogram alone. Echocardiography was quite useful for diagnosing PE and assessing right ventricle after-load at the bedside. Spiral computer tomography was effective for obtaining a definitive diagnosis even in a relatively hemodynamically unstable patient. Thrombolysis therapy was given to 30 cases and was apparently effective in 17 cases (17/30, 56.7%). Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) was needed for 7 severe cases. Seven patients, including 5 of the PCPS recipients, underwent surgical embolectomy. Overall mortality was 28.6% (10/35), and surgical mortality was 28.6% (2/7). The significant predictors for mortality were systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg, dopamine >5 microg x kg(-1) min(-1), pH <7.4, PaCO2 >40 torr, base excesss <-5 mmol/L, urine output <0.8ml x kg(-1) x h(-1), intubation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, duration from attack to emergency room >5h, shock duration >4h, aspartate aminotransferase >100U/L, alanine aminotransferase >100U/L and lactate dehydrogenase >600U/L. Predictors of surgical intervention were dopamine >5 microg x kg(-1) min(-1), shock duration >4h and PCPS. Early initiation of thombolysis therapy is recommended, except in case where it is absolutely contraindicated. Because it is difficult in the early phase of PE to make a decision to perform surgery, aggressive application of PCPS is recommended for the cardiogenic shock associated with massive PE.     

Elevated cardiac troponin measurements in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of elevated cardiac troponin (cTn) level in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) is uncertain. We reviewed the frequency of cTn elevation and its association with mortality and length of ICU stay in these patients. METHODS: Studies were identified using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and reference list review. We included observational studies of critically ill patients that measured cTn at least once and reported the frequency of elevated cTn or outcome (mortality and length of ICU or hospital stay). We pooled the odds ratios (ORs) using the inverse variance method in studies that conducted multivariable analysis to examine the relationship between elevated cTn and mortality (adjusted analysis). We calculated the weighted mean difference in length of stay between patients with and without elevated cTn and pooled the results using the inverse variance method (unadjusted analysis). RESULTS: A total of 23 studies involving 4492 critically ill patients were included. In 20 studies, elevated cTn was found in a median of 43% (interquartile range, 21% to 59%) of 3278 patients. In adjusted analysis (6 studies comprising 1706 patients), elevated cTn was associated with an increased risk of death (OR, 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9 to 3.4; P < .001). In the unadjusted analysis (8 studies comprising 1019 patients), elevated cTn was associated with an increased length of ICU stay of 3.0 days (95% CI, 1.0 to 5.1 days; P = .004) and an increased length of hospital stay of 2.2 days (95% CI, -0.6 to 4.9; P = .12). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated cTn measurements among critically ill patients are associated with increased mortality and ICU length of stay. Research is needed to clarify the underlying causes of elevated cTn in this population and to examine their clinical significance.