Elevated gamma glutamyl transferase levels are associated with the location of acute pulmonary embolism. Cross-sectional evaluation in hospital setting / Níveis elevados de gama glutamil transferase estão associados com a localização de embolia pulmonar aguda. Estudo transversal em ambiente hospitalar

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The location of embolism is associated with clinical findings and disease severity in cases of acute pulmonary embolism. The level of gamma-glutamyl transferase increases under oxidative stress-related conditions. In this study, we investigated whether gamma-glutamyl transferase levels could predict the location of pulmonary embolism. DESIGN AND SETTING: Hospital-based cross-sectional study at Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey. METHODS : 120 patients who were diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism through computed tomography-assisted pulmonary angiography were evaluated. They were divided into two main groups (proximally and distally located), and subsequently into subgroups according to thrombus localization as follows: first group (thrombus in main pulmonary artery; n = 9); second group (thrombus in main pulmonary artery branches; n = 71); third group (thrombus in pulmonary artery segmental branches; n = 34); and fourth group (thrombus in pulmonary artery subsegmental branches; n = 8). RESULTS : Gamma-glutamyl transferase levels on admission, heart rate, oxygen saturation, right ventricular dilatation/hypokinesia, pulmonary artery systolic pressure and cardiopulmonary resuscitation requirement showed prognostic significance in univariate analysis. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that gamma-glutamyl transferase level on admission (odds ratio, OR = 1.044; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.011-1.079; P = 0.009) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (OR = 1.063; 95% CI: 1.005-1.124; P = 0.033) remained independently associated with proximally localized thrombus in pulmonary artery. CONCLUSIONS : The findings revealed a significant association between increased existing embolism load in the pulmonary artery and increased serum gamma-glutamyl transferase levels.

RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO : A localização da embolia está associada com os resultados clínicos e a gravidade da doença do embolismo pulmonar agudo (EPA). O nível de gama-glutamil transferase (GGT) aumenta em condições relacionadas com estresse oxidativo. Investigou-se se os níveis de GGT podem prever a localização do EPA. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL : Estudo observacional transversal na Universidade Cumhuriyet, Sivas, Turquia. MÉTODOS : Avaliamos 120 pacientes diagnosticados com EPA após a realização de angiografia pulmonar assistida por tomografia computadorizada. Eles foram divididos em dois grupos principais (localização proximal e distal) e depois em subgrupos de acordo com a localização do trombo da seguinte forma: primeiro grupo (trombo na artéria pulmonar [AP] principal, n = 9); segundo (trombo no ramo da AP principal; n = 71); terceiro grupo (trombo na segmentar da AP; n = 34); quarto grupo (trombo na subsegmentar da AP; n = 8). RESULTADOS : Na análise univariada, os níveis de GGT tiveram significado prognóstico em relação à admissão, pulsação arterial, saturação de oxigênio, dilatação do ventrículo direito/hipocinesia, pressão sistólica da artéria pulmonar (PSAP) e necessidade de ressuscitação cardiopulmonar. O modelo de regressão logística multivariada demonstrou que o nível de GGT na admissão (razão de possibilidades, OR: 1,044; 95% intervalo de confiança, CI: 1,011-1,079; P = 0,009) e PSAP (OR: 1,063, 95% CI: 1,005-1,124; P = 0,033) permaneceram independentemente associados com trombo localizado proximalmente na AP. CONCLUSÕES : Os resultados demonstraram associação significativa entre aumento da carga existente de embolia da AP e aumento dos níveis séricos da GGT.

[Assessment of cardiac troponin I in patients with pulmonary emboli and its relationship with right ventricular dysfunction]

Right ventricular dysfunction is common in major pulmonary embolisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and diagnostic utility of cardiac troponin I and also to identify patients with RV dysfunction in pulmonary embolism. This study was conducted on 42 patients with pulmonary embolism in Ekbatan Hospital, in Hamedan city. Data from history, echocardiogram, and lung perfusion scan was obtained from medical records. Blood samples were obtained immediately after pulmonary embolism was diagnosed. Cardiac troponin was measured using chromatographic assay. Two patients [4.8%] had positive troponin I [>/= 0.5 microg/l], and 40 patients [95.2%] had negative troponin I [< 0.5 microg/l]. RV dysfunction was detected in 16 patients [38%]. RV dysfunction was detected in 1 of positive troponin I patients and 15 with negative troponin I [37.5%]. No significant relationship was found between RV dysfunction and troponin I level [p>0.05]. Our data demonstrates that troponin I measurement is not able to distinguish specifically between coronary and non- coronary causes of chest pain