Application value of dual-energy CT perfusion imaging in acute pulmonary embolism examination / 中国辐射卫生

Objective To analyze the pulmonary perfusion defect index (PPDI) of dual-energy computed tomography (CT) and pulmonary artery obstruction index (PAOI) of conventional CT angiography, and to investigate the clinical application value of dual-energy CT perfusion imaging in the examination of patients with acute pulmonary embolism. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 21 patients diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism in Weifang People's Hospital from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022. PPDI, PAOI, and maximum plasma D-dimer concentration (mg/L) were calculated. According to the 2019 ESC Guidelines, the patients were divided into low-risk group (n = 8) and medium-risk group (n = 12). The Mann-Whitney U test was used for between-group comparisons. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlations between PAOI, PPDI, and plasma D-dimer concentration. Results The PPDI, PAOI, and D-dimer values in the low-risk group were 3.33 (2.09, 4.58), 5.00 (3.13, 5.00), and 0.67 (0.52, 0.79), respectively. The PPDI, PAOI, and D-dimer values in the middle-risk group were 8.34 (5.42, 12.50), 12.50 (8.13, 15.00), and 1.18 (0.86, 2.87), respectively. The Z-values of comparison between the two groups were −3.092, −3.650, and −3.318, respectively (all P < 0.05). There were significant differences in PPDI, PAOI, and D-dimer between the low-risk and middle-risk groups (P < 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between PPDI and PAOI, between PPDI and D-dimer, and between PAOI and D-dimer (rs = 0.869, 0.918, 0.909, all P < 0.05). Conclusion Both PPDI and PAOI can be used for the clinical examination of patients with acute pulmonary embolism and evaluation of the severity of the disease. Compared with conventional CT, dual-energy CT perfusion imaging is more efficient in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism, and facilitates accurate clinical treatment.

Research progress of CT evaluation of acute pulmonary embolism and right ventricular dysfunction / 中华全科医师杂志

Pulmonary embolism is one of the common cardiothoracic vascular emergencies, and its main fatal complication is right ventricular dysfunction. CT pulmonary angiography is the preferred imaging method for clinical diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.This article reviews the imaging characteristics and mechanism of pulmonary embolism and right heart dysfunction in CT pulmonary angiography, the current clinical application status and limitations of CT pulmonary angiography, and the progress of CT pulmonary angiography technology.

Relationships between changes of coagulation-fibrinolytic system paratmeters and recent dissolution of thrombus after treatment in patients with pulmonary embolism / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective To discuss the relationships between regular pattern changes of plasma fibrinogen (Fib),D-dimer and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) levels and the recent dissolution of thrombus in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) in 14 days after treatment.Methods A prospective study was conducted.PE patients admitted to Departments of Respiratory Disease in 4 hospitals from January 2015 to March 2016 were enrolled and all of them were treated with thrombolysis and/or anticoagulation after admission.The computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) was examined pre-treatment and 14 days post-treatment in PE patients.The pulmonary artery obstruction index (PAOI) was assessed according to the Mastora scoring method to estimate the thrombus load.The plasma Fib,D-dimer and FDP levels were measured before and on 1,2,3,5,7 and 14 days after treatment,and the relationships between the change regularities of these parameters and PAOI were also analyzed.Results A total of 42 PE patients were enrolled.The curve change of coagulation-fibrinolytic system parameters in 14 days after treatment showed that the Fib level was raised to its peak on the 3rd day after treatment and then decreased (g/L:4.24 ± 1.45 vs.3.83 ± 1.56),representing that its curve change was in accordance with the quadratic model (P =0.095).After treatment,the D-dimer and FDP levels were kept declining,they were reached the valley on 14th day [D-dimer (mg/L):1.58 ± 1.38vs.8.84 ± 6.35,FDP (mg/L):4.23 ± 3.63 vs.23.41 ± 16.54],and their curve changes were in accordance with the cubic model (F was 32.190 and 34.326,respectively both P =0.000).The PAOI variation before and 14 days after treatment [(18.77 ± 14.22)％] was not correlated with Fib variation [(1.20 ± 0.93) g/L,r =-0.194,P =0.219],but was positively correlated with D-dimer variation [(7.29 ± 7.10) mg/L] and FDP variation [(19.29 ± 18.67) mg/L,r was 0.556 and 0.460,respectively;P was 0.020 and 0.002,respectively].Conclusions The D-dimer and FDP levels are kept falling in PE patients after treatment,suggesting that the pulmonary artery embolus is being dissolved.

Assessing the severity of acute pulmonary embolism using CT obstruction index and the relationship between its CT obstruction index and D-dimer levels / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To assess the value of pulmonary artery CT obstruction index for the evaluation of the severity of pulmonary embolism (PE),and to investigate the relation between pulmonary artery CT obstruction index and D-dimer levels.Methods 125 patients were diagnosed as PE by computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA)and D-dimer.Patients were separated into high-risk group and non-high risk group.CT obstruction index,D-dimer levels,diameter of the pulmonary artery were compared between two groups. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were used to assess the correlation between the CT obstruction index and the D-dimer levels,diameter of the pulmonary artery.Results CT congestion index of high-risk PE group was obviously higher than that of the non-high risk group (P=0.000).The diameter of pulmonary artery in high-risk PE group was obviously greater than that of the non-high risk group,the difference was statistically significant (P=0.000).No statistically significant difference was found in D-dimer levels between the two groups (P=0.103).There was no correction with CT congestion index and D-dimer levels(P=0.71).Conclusion The D-dimer levels of serum was a predictor of pulmonary embolism,cannot evaluate the severity of PE.CT obstruction index can reflect the severity of PE in some extent as an indicator of PE,there was no correlation with CT obstruction index and D-dimer levels.

Correlation study between CT pulmonary artery obstruction index and right ventricular function and arterial blood gas analysis index / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the value of CT pulmonary artery obstruction index (PAOI)in evaluating the severity in patients of pulmonary embolism (PE)by a correlation study between CT PAOI and right ventricular function parameters and arterial blood gas analysis index.Methods CT PAOI,right ventricular function parameters and arterial blood gas analysis index were collected from 70 patients with PE,who had received CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA)examination in our hospital.Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between the PAOI and right ventricular/left ventricular maximum short axis diameter ratio (RVd/LVd),main pulmonary artery diameter (MPAd),superior vena cava diameter (SVCd),arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2 ),arterial carbon dioxide into pressure (PaCO2 ),oxygen saturation (SaO2 ),Alveolar arterial oxygen partial pressure difference (P(A-a)O2 ).Results PAOI and PaO2 were negative correlation,the correlation coefficient was -0.442;PAOI and RVd/LVd, MPAd,SVCd,P(A-a)O2 were positively related,correlation coefficients ranged between 0.163-0.675;PAOI was not related to SaO2 .Conclusion CT PAOI can be used to evaluate the severity of PE,it is not consistent with the severity of the patient’s clinical condition.

Comparison of Clinical and Imaging Characteristics and Outcomes between Provoked and Unprovoked Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Koreans

This study was performed to compare clinical and imaging parameters and prognosis of unprovoked pulmonary embolism (PE), provoked PE with reversible risk factors (provoked-rRF), and provoked PE with irreversible risk factors (provoked-iRF) in Koreans. Three hundred consecutive patients (mean age, 63.6 +/- 15.0 yr; 42.8% male) diagnosed with acute PE were included. The patients were classified into 3 groups; unprovoked PE, provoked-rRF, and provoked-iRF; 43.7%, 14.7%, and 41.7%, respectively. We followed up the patients for 25.4 +/- 33.7 months. Composite endpoint was all-cause mortality and recurrent PE. The provoked-iRF group had significantly higher all-cause mortality, mortality from PE and recurrent PE than the unprovoked and provoked-rRF groups (P 1.2 mg/dL; P 5 mg/L; P = 0.002; HR, 5.308; 95% CI, 1.824-15.447) and computed tomography (CT) obstruction index (P = 0.034; HR, 1.090; 95% CI, 1.006-1.181). In conclusion, provoked-iRF has a poorer prognosis than unprovoked PE and provoked-rRF. Renal insufficiency, high CRP, and CT obstruction index are poor prognostic factors in unprovoked PE.

Comparison of Clinical and Imaging Characteristics and Outcomes between Provoked and Unprovoked Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Koreans

This study was performed to compare clinical and imaging parameters and prognosis of unprovoked pulmonary embolism (PE), provoked PE with reversible risk factors (provoked-rRF), and provoked PE with irreversible risk factors (provoked-iRF) in Koreans. Three hundred consecutive patients (mean age, 63.6 +/- 15.0 yr; 42.8% male) diagnosed with acute PE were included. The patients were classified into 3 groups; unprovoked PE, provoked-rRF, and provoked-iRF; 43.7%, 14.7%, and 41.7%, respectively. We followed up the patients for 25.4 +/- 33.7 months. Composite endpoint was all-cause mortality and recurrent PE. The provoked-iRF group had significantly higher all-cause mortality, mortality from PE and recurrent PE than the unprovoked and provoked-rRF groups (P 1.2 mg/dL; P 5 mg/L; P = 0.002; HR, 5.308; 95% CI, 1.824-15.447) and computed tomography (CT) obstruction index (P = 0.034; HR, 1.090; 95% CI, 1.006-1.181). In conclusion, provoked-iRF has a poorer prognosis than unprovoked PE and provoked-rRF. Renal insufficiency, high CRP, and CT obstruction index are poor prognostic factors in unprovoked PE.