ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To quantify right-ventricular dysfunction and the pulmonary artery obstruction index, in patients with acute pulmonary embolism, using helical CT, and to assess the prognostic value of these parameters. DESIGN: Prospective. METHOD: In 120 consecutive patients with proven acute pulmonary embolism, the extent of right-ventricular dysfunction was assessed by quantifying the ratios of the right to left-ventricular short-axis diameters (RV/LV ratio) and the extent ofobstruction ofthe pulmonary-artery circulation by using helical CT images. Regression analysis was used to correlate these parameters with patient outcome. RESULTS: Right-ventricular dysfunction (RV/LV ratio > 1.0) was seen in 69 patients (57.5%). Seven patients died as a direct result of pulmonary embolism. Both the RV/LV ratio and the obstruction index were significant risk factors for mortality within three months (p = 0.04 and 0.01 respectively). The positive predictive value for pulmonary embolism-related mortality of an RV/LV ratio > 1.0 was 10.1% (95% CI: 2.9-17.4). The negative predictive value for an uneventful outcome of an RV/LV ratio < or = 1.0 was 100% (95% CI: 94.3-100). There was a 11.2-fold risk of dying of pulmonary embolism in patients with an obstruction index > or = 40% (95% CI: 1.3-93.6). CONCLUSION: Markers of right-ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary vascular obstruction, assessed by helical CT-examination at baseline, help to predict mortality during follow-up of patients with acute pulmonary embolism.
