ABSTRACT
Objective. Cases of pulmonary embolism are observed in the course of COVID-19. Right ventricular enlargement is a negative prognostic factor of pulmonary embolism. The cardiothoracic ratio is a routine parameter in the cardiac assessment in chest radiology. Purpose. The aim of the study was to determine the usefulness of the radiological cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) as a predictor of right ventricular enlargement in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism during COVID-19. Material and method. The study group consisted of 61 patients with confirmed COVID-19, suspected of pulmonary embolism based on physical examination and laboratory tests (age: 67.18 ± 12.47 years). Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of pulmonary arteries and chest radiograph in AP projection with cardiothoracic ratio assessment were performed in all patients. Right ventricular enlargement was diagnosed by the ratio of right ventricular to left ventricular (RV/LV) dimensions in pulmonary CTA with 2 cut-off points: ≥0.9 and ≥1.0. Heart's silhouette enlargement was found when CTR on the chest radiograph in the projection AP >0.55. Results. The mean values of RV/LV and CTR in the studied group were 0.96 ± 0.23 and 0.57 ± 0.05. Pulmonary embolism was diagnosed in 45.9%. Right ventricular enlargement was documented in 44.3% or 29.5% depending on the adopted criterion RV/LV ≥0.9 or RV/LV ≥1.0. Heart's silhouette enlargement was found in 60.6%. Patients with confirmed pulmonary embolism (PE+) had significantly higher RV/LV ratio and CTR than patients with excluded pulmonary embolism (PE-) (RV/LV: PE+ 1.08 ± 0.24, PE- 0.82 ± 0.12;CTR: PE+ 0.60 ± 0.05, PE- 0.54 ± 0.04;p < 0.05). The correlation analysis showed a statistically significant positive correlation between RV/LV ratio and CTR (r = 0.59, p < 0.05). Based on the ROC curves, CTR values were determined as the optimal cut-off points for the prediction of right ventricular enlargement (RV/LV ≥0.9 or RV/LV ≥1.0), being 0.54 and 0.55, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the CTR criterion >0.54 as a predictor of RV/LV ratio ≥0.9 was 0.412, 0.963, and 0.656, respectively, while the CTR criterion >0.55 as a predictor of RV/LV ratio ≥1.0 was 0.488, 0.833, and 0.590, respectively. Conclusions. In patients with suspected pulmonary embolism during COVID-19, radiographic cardiothoracic ratio may be a predictor of right ventricular enlargement, especially a negative predictor of right ventricular enlargement in case of lower CTR values.
ABSTRACT
We report key elements and figures related to the proceedings of the 2021 edition of the XXIVth ISPRS Congress. Similarly to 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused global travel challenges and restrictions for the first half of 2021. Consequently, the physical Congress re-scheduled from June 2020 to July 2021 was again postponed to June 2022, still in Nice (France). Papers were already submitted and the ISPRS Council decided to carry out the review process and the publication of the proceedings of the papers submitted under the label “2021 Edition”. The authors of published papers had the opportunity to present their work during a Digital Event, this year scheduled the same week as the planned Congress (5–9 July 2021).
ABSTRACT
We report key elements and figures related to the proceedings of the 2020 edition of the XXIVth ISPRS Congress. The COVID-19 pandemic causes global travel challenges and restrictions for the full year 2020. Consequently, the Congress planned in June 2020 in Nice (France) was postponed to July 2021. Papers were already submitted and the review process was almost complete. Thus, it has been decided to achieve the publication of the proceedings of these papers under the label ”2020 Edition”. The authors of published papers have the opportunity to present their work during a Virtual Event (31 August – 2 September 2020), while the papers of the 2021 edition will be presented during the (physical) Congress in July 2021.