Thrombolysis for pulmonary embolism

More than 10 years ago, thrombolytic therapy with urokinase and streptokinase for pulmonary embolism was found to have considerable advantages over standard heparin therapy. After the introduction of alteplase, a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, further studies confirmed this benefit. However, thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism has not gained universal acceptance, even though it now has U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. Clear advantages of thrombolytic therapy over conventional heparin therapy are improved pulmonary capillary blood volume, accelerated clot lysis and accelerated pulmonary perfusion. Earlier reversal of right-sided heart failure, a lower incidence of recurrent pulmonary embolism, a reduced risk of chronic pulmonary hypertension and reduced mortality have been claimed as advantages, but these have not been adequately proved. A recent survey suggests that about half of all patients with pulmonary embolism are potential candidates for thrombolytic therapy. In a subset of patients with hemodynamic compromise, thrombolysis has definite advantages over heparin therapy.     

Thrombolysis during extended cardiopulmonary resuscitation for autoimmune-related pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND: Massive pulmonary embolism(MPE) and acute myocardial infarction are the two most common causes of cardiac arrest(CA). At present, lethal hemorrhage makes thrombolytic therapy underused during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, despite the potential benefits for these underlying conditions. Hypercoagulability of the blood in autoimmune disorders(such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia) carries a risk of MPE. It is critical to find out the etiology of CA for timely thrombolytic intervention.METHODS: A 23-year-old woman with a 10-year medical history of autoimmune hemolytic anemia suffered from CA in our emergency intensive care unit. ECG and echocardiogram indicated the possibility of MPE, so f ibrinolytic therapy(alteplase) was successful during prolonged resuscitation.RESULTS: Neurological recovery of the patient was generally good, and no fatal bleeding developed. MPE was documented by CT pulmonary angiography.CONCLUSIONS: A medical history of autoimmune disease poses a risk of PE, and the causes of CA(such as this) should be investigated etiologically. A therapy with alteplase may be used early during cardiopulmonary resuscitation once there is presumptive evidence of PE. Clinical trials are needed in this setting to study patients with hypercoagulable states.     

Syncope on presentation is a surrogate for submassive and massive acute pulmonary embolism

Introduction

There are conflicting data regarding the prognostic value of syncope in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Thrombolysis for massive pulmonary embolism in pregnancy: a case report

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), also known as Ogilvie syndrome, is a massive dilation of the colon in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Treatment measures may include anticholinergic agents such as neostigmine, colonoscopy, or fluoroscopic decompression, surgical decompression, and partial or complete colectomy. We reviewed the case of a 26-year-old male with cerebral palsy who had a history of chronic intermittent constipation who presented to the emergency department (ED) with signs of impaction despite recurrent fleet enemas and oral polyethylene glycol 3350. The patient was found to have a massive colonic distention of 26 cm likely because of bowel dysmotility, consistent with ACPO. This article includes a discussion of the literature and images that represent clinical examination, x-ray, and computed tomography (CT) findings of this patient, who successfully underwent conservative management only. Emergency department detection of this condition is important, and early intervention may prevent surgical intervention and associated complications.     

The incidence and prognostic significance of elevated cardiac troponins in patients with submassive pulmonary embolism

Although the incidence and prognostic significance of elevated cardiac troponins are known in patients with massive pulmonary embolism (PE), few studies have addressed this issue in patients with hemodynamically stable, submassive PE, who comprise the majority of patients presenting with PE. This prospective cohort study was, therefore, designed to determine the incidence and prognostic significance of elevated cardiac troponins in patients with submassive PE. Consecutive patients with acute, symptomatic, submassive PE that was confirmed by objective diagnostic testing were studied. All patients received treatment with either unfractionated heparin or fondaparinux followed by a coumarin derivative and underwent clinical follow-up for 3 months. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels were measured within 24 h of clinical presentation. An elevated cTnI was defined as > 0.5 microg L(-1) and indicated myocardial injury. Major myocardial injury, that is associated with myocardial infarction, was defined by a cTnI > 2.3 microg L(-1). The clinical outcomes were recurrent venous thromboembolism and all-cause death. In 458 patients with submassive PE, the incidence of cTnI > 0.5 microg L(-1) was 13.5%[95% confidence interval (CI): 10.4-16.7], and the incidence of cTnI > 2.3 microg L(-1) was 3.5% (95% CI: 2.0-5.6). An elevated cTnI > 0.5 microg L(-1) was associated with an increased risk of all-cause death [odds ratio (OR) = 3.5; 95% CI: 1.0-11.9], but did not appear to confer an increased risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (OR = 1.1; 95% CI: 0.2-4.9). In patients who present with submassive PE, an elevated cTnI occurs in about one in seven patients and is associated with a 3.5-fold increased risk of all-cause death.     

Thrombolysis during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in fulminant pulmonary embolism: a review.

OBJECTIVE: To review current knowledge on thrombolysis in patients with fulminant pulmonary embolism (FPE) who need cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). DATA SOURCES: The bibliography for the study was compiled through a search of different databases between 1966 and 2000. References cited in the articles selected were also reviewed. STUDY SELECTION: The selection criteria included all reports published on thrombolysis, pulmonary embolism, and CPR, from case reports and case series to controlled studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: Very few studies evaluated thrombolysis in cases of FPE that required CPR and most of these were clinical case reports and case series with a low level of scientific evidence. There has been no clinical trial to address this issue. CONCLUSIONS: FPE can frequently produce cardiac arrest, which has an extremely high mortality despite application of the usual CPR measures. The administration of thrombolytic therapy during CPR could help to reduce the mortality, although it has classically been contraindicated. There are no published clinical trials or other high-grade studies that evaluated the efficacy and safety of this approach. From the few existing studies, it can be inferred that thrombolysis may be efficacious and safe for patients with FPE who need CPR. However, a clinical trial is required to provide evidence of value for sound clinical decision-making.     

Thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in fulminant pulmonary embolism. A case series.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our outcomes using thrombolysis during the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of patients in cardiorespiratory arrest (CA) caused by fulminant pulmonary embolism (FPE). DESIGN: A case series. SETTING: Intensive care units of a district hospital and a referral centre. PATIENTS: Six patients that suffered CA secondary to an FPE. INTERVENTIONS: Administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator during usual CPR manoeuvres when there was a strong suspicion of FPE. Permission for the thrombolytic therapy was sought from family members in all cases. RESULTS: Four out of the six patients survived and remain symptom-free. The thrombolysis was not associated with any fatal complications. CONCLUSIONS: Early thrombolysis during CPR manoeuvres for CA apparently caused by an FPE may reduce the mortality rate among these patients.     

CT in pulmonary embolism

In 47 patients with clinically suspected pulmonary emboli CT and scintillation tests were performed. Our result is, that in case of defects in the a. pulmonalis filled with contrast medium and pronounced CT-signs of pulmonary infarction embolization is likely even for a negative or unclear outcome of the scintillation tests.