Pulmonary Artery Obstruction Index and Right Ventricular Dysfunction Signs in Initial and Follow up Pulmonary Computed Tomography Angiography in Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract

Intoduction: Acute Pulmonary Embolism (APE) increases the pressure of the pulmonary arterial system with resulting Right Ventricle Dysfunction (RVD). Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Pulmonary Artery Obstruction Index (PAOI) and signs of right heart dysfunction with computed tomography angiography in APE patients. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 72 consecutive patients (mean age 64.1±16.9 years; 59.7% female) with APE who had initial echocardiography with computed tomography angiography. Among these 72 patients, only 25 (34.7%) patients had follow up computed tomography angiography images and we evaluate right heart dysfunction with PAOI and Right Ventricle (RV) diameter. Results: In 72 patients with APE, PAOI and RVD signs were significantly high. Twenty five of these 72 patients (34.7%) had follow up computed tomography angiography images and among those 25 patients, there was correlation between reduction of PAOI and RV diameter in follow up period. Conclusion: PAOI and RVD signs in initial computed tomography angiography and in follow up computed tomography angiography can be used in the management of Pulmonary Embolism (PE) patients.

Keywords

• cardiac dysfunction
• echocardiography
• thromboembolism