Non-severe pulmonary embolism: prognostic CT findings.
Eur J Radiol. 2011 Sep;79(3):452-8
Authors: Moroni AL, Bosson JL, Hohn N, Carpentier F, Pernod G, Ferretti GR
Abstract
The goal of this study was to retrospectively evaluate CT cardiovascular parameters and pulmonary artery clot load score as predictors of 3-month mortality in patients with clinically non-severe pulmonary embolism (PE). We included 226 CT positive for PE in hemodynamically stable patients (112 women; mean age 67.1 years ± 16.9). CT were independently reviewed by two observers. Results were compared with occurrence of death within 3 months using Cox regression. Twenty-four (10.6%) patients died, for whom 9 were considered to be due to PE. Interobserver agreement was moderate for the shape of interventricular septum (? = 0.41), and for the ratio between the diameters of right and left ventricle (RV/LV) (? = 0.76). Observers found no association between interventricular septum shape and death. A RV/LV diameter ratio >1 was predictive of death (OR, 3.83; p < 0.01) only when we also took into account the value of the embolic burden (< 40%). In a multivariate model, CT cardiovascular parameters were not associated with death. Concomitant lower limb DVT and comorbid conditions were important predictors of death. In clinically non-severe PE, a RV/LV diameter ratio >1 is predictive of death when the embolic burden is low (< 40%).
PMID: 20403673 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]