Imaging modalities play an essential role in diagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE). Clinical outcome studies demonstrated that PE can be safely ruled out in patients with unlikely clinical probability... Show moreImaging modalities play an essential role in diagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE). Clinical outcome studies demonstrated that PE can be safely ruled out in patients with unlikely clinical probability in combination with a normal D-dimer test result; in all other patients additional imaging is needed. The aim is to accurately confirm or rule out the diagnosis of PE, after which, if indicated, anticoagulant treatment can be initiated. Various diagnostic tests are available, and this article reviews the different imaging techniques in patients with suspected PE. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is the imaging test of choice because of its high sensitivity and specificity. Compression ultrasonography and ventilation perfusion scintigraphy are reserved for patients with concomitant suspicion of deep vein thrombosis or contraindication for CTPA. Furthermore the diagnostic process in patients with clinically suspected recurrent PE, PE during pregnancy, and PE in the elderly and in patients with malignancy are discussed. Show less
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the use of the electrocardiogram-derived ventricular gradient, projected on the x-axis (VGx), for detection of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and for... Show morePURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the use of the electrocardiogram-derived ventricular gradient, projected on the x-axis (VGx), for detection of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and for prediction of all-cause mortality in PH patients. METHODS: In patients referred for PH screening (n = 216), the VGx was calculated semiautomatically from the electrocardiogram and was defined as abnormal when less than 24 mV·ms. The VGx of PH patients was compared with the VGx of patients without PH. The association between a reduced VGx and mortality was investigated in PH patients. RESULTS: Patients with PH (n = 117) had a significantly reduced VGx: 14 ± 27 vs 45 ± 23 mV·ms, P < .001. Furthermore, a severely reduced VGx (<0 mV·ms) was associated with increased mortality in PH patients: hazard ratio, 1.025 (95% confidence interval, 1.006-1.045; P = .012) per mV·ms VGx decrease. CONCLUSION: Reduced VGx is associated with the presence of PH and, more importantly, within PH patients, a severely reduced VGx predicts mortality. Show less
Cosmi, B.; Nijkeuter, M.; Valentino, M.; Huisman, M.V.; Barozzi, L.; Palareti, G. 2011
PURPOSE: Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) is defined as a decrease in renal function following administration of contrast media. The aim of this meta-analysis was to asses the overall risk of CIN... Show morePURPOSE: Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) is defined as a decrease in renal function following administration of contrast media. The aim of this meta-analysis was to asses the overall risk of CIN, chronic loss of kidney function and the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) after intravenous contrast enhanced CT-scan. Secondly, we aimed to identify subgroups at increased risk for CIN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search in Pubmed, Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed. Data extraction was carried out independently by two reviewers. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were performed using an exact likelihood approach. RESULTS: Forty studies evaluating the incidence of CIN after CT were included. The pooled incidence of CIN was 6.4% (95% CI 5.0-8.1). The risk of RRT after CIN was low, 0.06% (95% CI 0.01-0.4). The decline in renal function persisted in 1.1% of patients (95% CI 0.6-2.1%). Patients with chronic kidney disease (odds ratio 2.26, p<0.001) or diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 3.10, p<0.001) were at increased risk for the development of CIN. CONCLUSION: CIN occurred in 6% of patients after contrast enhanced CT. In 1% of all patients undergoing contrast enhanced CT the decline in renal function persisted. Show less
Introduction: Diagnostic flow-charts for pulmonary embolism (PE) are widely implemented in the management of PE. A major drawback of a diagnostic PE algorithm is the use of several consecutive... Show moreIntroduction: Diagnostic flow-charts for pulmonary embolism (PE) are widely implemented in the management of PE. A major drawback of a diagnostic PE algorithm is the use of several consecutive tests, which may be challenging in daily clinical practice. Materials and methods: Evaluation whether the use of an algorithm, starting with a ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan after a normal chest X-ray, is correctly used in daily clinical practice for diagnosing acute PE. Consecutive V/Q scans of patients with suspected acute PE were assessed to evaluate the use of the predefined diagnostic algorithm. Results: A chest X-ray had been performed in 101 of the 130 patients who underwent V/Q scanning; 89 patients had a normal chest X-ray. The V/Q scan was normal in 77/130 patients (59%), 30/130 patients (23%) had a non-high probability and 23/130 patients (18%) a high probability for PE. Only 3 of the 30 patients with a non-high V/Q scan (10%) underwent a computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) scan, in contrast to the algorithm that required a CTPA scan in every patient with a non-high V/Q scan. Overall, the diagnostic strategy, starting with a V/Q scan as the baseline diagnostic tool with a prior chest X-ray, was appropriately followed in only 75/101 patients (74%). Conclusions: A complex diagnostic algorithm for diagnosing PE is often not followed properly. This improper use of an algorithm could lead to a potential delay of establishing or excluding PE, a delay of therapy and/or unnecessary treatment. More simple algorithms could resolve this diagnostic management dilemma. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Show less
