Importance of computed tomography pulmonary angiography for predict 30-day mortality in acute pulmonary embolism patients

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess the implications of different parameters of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) to predict 30-day mortality in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) patients. Material and Method: Patients who had clinical suspicion of APE and underwent CTPA were recruited in a retrospective cohort study. The findings of the CTPA included the parameters of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), the severity of obstruction to the pulmonary artery by CT obstruction index, and the ratio of pulmonary trunk diameter and aorta. The endpoint of the study was established as the 30-day mortality associated with APE. Results: A total of 238 patients with a confirmed APE diagnosis with CTPA were included in the study; 26 (10.9 %) of those patients died within 30 days. In patients with cancer and the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) class 5, the mortality rate was significantly higher. Compared with survivors, the mean CT obstruction index in the non-survivor group was significantly higher (p 70% is associated with increased 30-day mortality.

Keywords

• Acute pulmonary embolism
• Prognosis
• CTPA
• 30-day mortality
• RV dysfunction
• RV diameter