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Arch Bronconeumol 2021 Jan 28;57 Suppl 1:35-46. Epub 2020 Aug 28.

Servicio de Radiología, HM Hospitales, Hospital Universitario HM Sanchinarro, Madrid, España.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic capacity of pulmonary angiography with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and iodine mapping in the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in patients with Covid-19 disease.

Methods: Retrospective observational study of 81 consecutive patients admitted with Covid-19 respiratory infection who underwent MDCT for clinical suspicion of PTE (sudden dyspnea, chest pain, hemoptysis, severe respiratory failure (SRF) not corrected with high O flow) and/or raised D-dimer.

Results: Of the 81 patients studied [64 (79. Read More

Kardiologiia 2020 Feb 4;60(1):28-34. Epub 2020 Feb 4.

Tver Regional Clinical Hospital.

Objective Compare the distance between the pulmonary artery (PA) and the left coronary artery (LCA) using pulmonary angiography and the rate of detection of the signs of left ventricular myocardial ischemiain the first electrocardiogram (ECG) in pulmonary embolism (PE) patients with or without angina to detect possible causes of angina pectoris.Material and Methods Measurement of the minimum distance between the PA and LCA in multislice spiral computed tomography and analysis of the first ECG were performed in 55 PE patients. 15 (27. Read More

Pol J Radiol 2019 6;84:e436-e446. Epub 2019 Nov 6.

Department of Radiology, Modarres Hospital, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Purpose: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially fatal cardiopulmonary disease; therefore, rapid risk stratification is necessary to make decisions of appropriate management strategies. The aim of this study was to assess various computed tomography (CT) findings in order to find new prognostic factors of adverse outcome and mortality.

Material And Methods: The study enrolled 104 patients with acute PE. Read More

Ann Vasc Surg 2020 Feb 14;63:459.e1-459.e4. Epub 2019 Oct 14.

Department of General Surgery, General Hospital of Drama, Drama, Greece.

Background: Renal vein aneurysms (RVAs) are uncommon entities, which are usually incidental findings or may cause mild nonspecific symptoms. Modern radiological imaging, mainly multislice computed tomography (CT), has substantially contributed to a prompt and accurate diagnosis. Treatment may range from watchful waiting to aneurysmorraphy, aneurysmectomy, and nephrectomy. Read More

Clin Respir J 2019 Dec 7;13(12):773-780. Epub 2019 Oct 7.

Department of Medical Biochemistry, Firat University Faculty of Medicine, Elazig, Turkey.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine the serum endocan levels in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and investigate whether a relationship exists between serum endocan levels and the disease severity.

Materials And Methods: The study included 85 patients with acute PTE and 40 healthy control subjects. The patients with PTE were divided into three groups at admission as "high-risk", "intermediate-risk" and "low-risk", considering the guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology. Read More

Ann Vasc Surg 2020 Feb 16;63:293-297. Epub 2019 Sep 16.

Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China; Division of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in a cohort of Chinese patients with acute (<14 days) proximal (above-knee) deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the lower limbs, and to evaluate whether the location of thrombosis is associated with the existence of PE.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients diagnosed with acute proximal DVT from January 2014 to June 2018 at a single center was performed. Helical computed tomography angiography was performed to screen PE within 48 hr after admission. Read More

BMC Med Imaging 2019 08 14;19(1):65. Epub 2019 Aug 14.

Department of Radiology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, No.901, Zhonghua Rd., Yongkang Dist, Tainan City, 710, Taiwan, Republic of China.

Background: Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). However, contrast is contraindicated in some patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of unenhanced multidetector CT (MDCT) for diagnosis of central PE using CTPA as the gold standard. Read More

Rev Port Cardiol (Engl Ed) 2019 Jun 12;38(6):407-415. Epub 2019 Jul 12.

Cardiology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Pólo Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.

Introduction: Although normotensive cancer patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) are a heterogeneous population, most validated clinical prognostic scores classify these patients as high-risk individuals, which limits their usefulness in this setting. In this study, we aimed to identify readily available clinical predictors of overall 30-day and one-year mortality in normotensive cancer patients with PE.

Methods And Results: We performed a retrospective single-center study that included all normotensive cancer patients with PE diagnosed by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) during emergency department stay between January 2010 and December 2011. Read More

Heart Lung 2019 Sep - Oct;48(5):436-445. Epub 2019 Mar 22.

University Hospital Dubrava, Avenija Gojka Šuška 6, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University, Osijek, Croatia. Electronic address:

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) severity index (PESI) well predicts 30-day mortality in acute PE patients, yet improvements have been advocated.

Objectives: To evaluate predictivity of the red cell distribution width (RDW) through a comparison with PESI and to explore their interaction as a potential improvement in this respect.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of consecutive adult PE patients. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2019 07 28;287:106-110. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Respiratory Department, Hospital Ramón y Cajal and Universidad de Alcalá (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of aspiration thrombectomy in combination with low-dose catheter-directed thrombolysis for acute unstable pulmonary embolism (PE).

Background: Acute unstable (PE) is a life-threatening condition requiring treatment escalation, but many patients cannot receive full-dose systemic thrombolysis due to contraindications.

Methods: Eligible patients had a PE with sustained hypotension. Read More

Clin Cardiol 2019 Mar 25;42(3):346-351. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

Divisions of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and General Medical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.

Introduction: Some previous studies have suggested a high prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) during exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (ECOPD). The SLICE trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of an active strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of PE (vs usual care) in patients hospitalized because of ECOPD.

Methods: SLICE is a phase III, prospective, international, multicenter, randomized, open-label, and parallel-group trial. Read More

Ann Card Anaesth 2019 Jan-Mar;22(1):89-91

Department of Radiology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) may be potentially fatal if not diagnosed and treated in time. Although specific electrocardiogram (ECG) findings often suggest the diagnosis of PE, occasionally, the ECG may mimic that of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We report an interesting case of a 45-year-old female presenting with sudden onset chest pain and shortness of breath with widespread ST depression in anterior precordial leads. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2018 08 20;36(8):1527.e1-1527.e2. Epub 2018 May 20.

AP-HP, CHU Henri Mondor, DHU A-TVB, Service de Réanimation Médicale, Créteil, F-94010, France; Université Paris Est Créteil, Faculté de Médecine, Groupe de recherche clinique CARMAS, Créteil, F-94010, France.

Patent foramen ovale is frequently observed in the general population. In case of massive pulmonary embolism, the sudden increase in the right heart cavity's pressure may cause a right-to-left shunting across this foramen, which could be associated with conflicting outcomes. Herein, we report a case of reversible cardiac arrest preceded by seizures, and followed by hemodynamic stability without any vasopressor. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2018 Aug 19;265:223-228. Epub 2018 Apr 19.

Respiratory Department and Medicine Department, Ramón y Cajal Hospital, Alcalá de Henares University, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain.

Acad Radiol 2018 05 11;25(5):561-572. Epub 2018 Jan 11.

Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, B1 132G Taubman Center/5302, 1500 East Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109; Nuclear Medicine Service, VA Ann Arbor Health Care System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Rationale And Objectives: This study aimed to calculate the multiple-level likelihood ratios (LRs) and posttest probabilities for a positive, indeterminate, or negative test result for multidetector computed tomography pulmonary angiography (MDCTPA) ± computed tomography venography (CTV) and magnetic resonance pulmonary angiography (MRPA) ± magnetic resonance venography (MRV) for each clinical probability level (two-, three-, and four-level) for the nine most commonly used clinical prediction rules (CPRs) (Wells, Geneva, Miniati, and Charlotte). The study design is a review of observational studies with critical review of multiple cohort studies. The settings are acute care, emergency room care, and ambulatory care (inpatients and outpatients). Read More

J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2018 Jul - Aug;12(4):271-274. Epub 2017 Dec 2.

Departments of Radiology, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 E 210th St, Bronx NY 10467, United States; Medicine - Division of Cardiology, Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 E 210th St, Bronx NY 10467, United States. Electronic address:

Background: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) represents a risk factor for mortality, but this has not been evaluated for CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA). The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship between PFO and mortality in patients with acute PE diagnosed on CTPA.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 268 adults [173 women, mean age 61 (range 22-98) years] diagnosed with acute PE on non-ECG-gated 64-slice CTPA in 2012 at our medical center. Read More

World J Radiol 2017 Mar;9(3):143-147

Mitchell Chen, Jamal A Abdulkarim, Department of Radiology, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 7DJ, United Kingdom.

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of reducing the dose of iodinated contrast agent in computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA).

Methods: One hundred and twenty-seven patients clinically suspected of having pulmonary embolism underwent spiral CTPA, out of whom fifty-seven received 75 mL and the remaining seventy a lower dose of 60 mL of contrast agent. Both doses were administered in a multiphasic injection. Read More

Am Heart J 2017 Mar 29;185:123-129. Epub 2016 Dec 29.

Respiratory Department, Ramón y Cajal Hospital and Universidad de Alcalá IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:

The optimal approach to assess right ventricular (RV) function in patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) lacks clarity.

Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the optimal approach to assess RV function in normotensive patients with acute symptomatic PE. Outcomes assessed through 30-days after the diagnosis of PE included all-cause mortality and complicated course. Read More

Niger J Clin Pract 2016 Nov-Dec;19(6):831-833

Department of Internal Medicine II, Clinic of Cardiology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timişoara, Romania.

In the last decades, an increased incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) and acute dissection (AD) of aortic aneurysms has been registered mostly due to increased availability of advanced imaging techniques. They seldom occur concomitantly in the same patient. In this paper, we present the clinical challenges and controversies of diagnosis and therapy in a 70-year-old male patient with an atypical presentation of high-risk PE occurring concomitantly with a silent AD of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. Read More

Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2016 Oct 1;71(10):562-569. Epub 2016 Oct 1.

Tainan Municipal Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Tainan/Taiwan.

Objectives:: Septic pulmonary embolism is an uncommon but life-threatening disorder. However, data on patients with septic pulmonary embolism who require critical care have not been well reported. This study elucidated the clinicoradiological spectrum, causative pathogens and outcomes of septic pulmonary embolism in patients requiring critical care. Read More

J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2016 Nov - Dec;10(6):473-479. Epub 2016 Aug 24.

Applied Imaging Science Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Radiology, The University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Background: The purpose is to develop a comprehensive risk-scoring system based on CT findings for predicting 30-day mortality after acute pulmonary embolism (PE), and to compare it with PE Severity Index (PESI).

Materials And Methods: The study included consecutive 1698 CT pulmonary angiograms (CTPA) positive for acute PE performed at a single institution (2003-2010). Two radiologists independently assessed each study regarding clinically relevant findings and then performed adjudication. Read More

Vojnosanit Pregl 2016 Sep;73(9):844-9

Background/aim: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially life threating event, but there are scarce data about genderrelated differences in this condition. The aim of this study was to identify gender-specific differences in clinical presentation, the diagnosis and outcome between male and female patients with PE.

Methods: We analysed the data of 144 consecutive patients with PE (50% women) and compared female and male patients regarding clinical presentation, electrocardiography (ECG) signs, basic laboratory markers and six-month outcome. Read More

J Thromb Thrombolysis 2016 Oct;42(3):432-40

China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Yinghua Dongjie, Hepingli, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.

The incidence, characteristics of pleural effusions due to pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) have been reported previously. However, the impact of pleural effusions on the prognosis of acute PTE patients and the involved influencing factors remain unclear. A total of 518 consecutive PTE patients were enrolled in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital from January 2009 to April 2014. Read More

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2016 Jul 13;32(7):1153-61. Epub 2016 Apr 13.

Applied Imaging Science Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

There is variability in guideline recommendations for assessment of the right ventricle (RV) with imaging as prognostic information after acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The objective of this study is to identify a clinical scenario for which normal CT-derived right-to-left ventricular (RV/LV) ratio is sufficient to exclude RV strain or PE-related short-term death. This retrospective cohort study included 579 consecutive subjects (08/2003-03/2010) diagnosed with acute PE with normal CT-RV/LV ratio (<0. Read More

J Pak Med Assoc 2016 Mar;66(3):306-11

Department of Cardiology, Ondokuz Mayis University Medical Faculty, Samsun, Turkey.

Objective: To investigate the role of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and apelin in the assessment of right ventricular dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism.

Methods: The prospective case-control study was conducted at Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey, from January 2008 to June 2009, and comprised adult patients with acute pulmonary embolism. A smaller group of healthy adults served as the control. Read More

Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed 2016 Mar 30;111(2):163-75; quiz 176-7. Epub 2015 Nov 30.

Medizinische Klinik II, Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg, Standort Gießen, Klinikstraße 33, 35392, Gießen, Deutschland.

Pulmonary embolism is a potentially fatal disorder and frequently seen in critical care and emergency medicine. Due to a high mortality rate within the first few hours, the accurate initiation of rational diagnostic pathways in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism and timely consecutive treatment is essential. In this review, the current European guidelines on the diagnosis and therapy of acute pulmonary embolism are presented. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2016 Feb 24;34(2):212-7. Epub 2015 Oct 24.

Department of Cardiovasology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, China.

Objective: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common cardiovascular disease that can be easily missed or misdiagnosed. Electrocardiogram (ECG) is valuable in making early diagnoses and performing risk stratification with regard to acute PE.

Methods: A total of 147 hospitalized patients diagnosed with acute PE were enrolled in this study and divided into the following 2 groups: main pulmonary artery trunk or main pulmonary artery (MPA) embolism and lobar artery or remote branch embolism. Read More

Presse Med 2015 Dec 14;44(12 Pt 2):e385-91. Epub 2015 Nov 14.

University of Ottawa, Ottawa hospital research institute, department of medicine, Ottawa, Canada; Université de Brest, department of internal medicine, EA 3878, CIC 1412, 29609 Brest, France.

Pulmonary embolism is the third cause of mortality by cardiovascular disease after coronary artery disease and stroke, and its incidence is around 1/1000 per year. During the last two decades, many different non-invasive diagnostic tests have been developed and validated. For hemodynamically stable outpatients, the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism mainly rests on the sequential use of clinical assessment, D-dimer measurement and multidetector CT. Read More

Clin Radiol 2015 Dec 15;70(12):1370-5. Epub 2015 Sep 15.

Dept. of Radiology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, UK.

Aim: To examine the number and nature of investigations performed for suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) in a large teaching hospital and the change in incidence and severity of PE over a decade.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, all patients investigated for suspected PE using computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or lung scintigraphy during 10 years to March 2012 were identified and their records reviewed. In the final year, all reportedly positive CTPA cases were reviewed and PE severity calculated, for comparison with similar historical data. Read More

J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr 2015 Nov-Dec;9(6):524-33. Epub 2015 Aug 3.

Imaging Institute and Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Prompt diagnosis and early referral to specialized centers is critical for patients presenting with cardiovascular emergencies, including acute aortic syndromes (AAS). Prior data has suggested that mobile access to imaging studies with hand-held devices can accelerate diagnosis and management.

Objective: We conducted a study to determine the diagnostic accuracy of a hand-held device compared to conventional dedicated work-stations for diagnosing a spectrum of cardiovascular emergencies, predominantly acute aortic pathology. Read More