Clinical outcome of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. A follow-up study of 588 consecutive patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical outcome in patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). Design and setting. In a retrospective design we studied 588 consecutive patients with suspected PE and referred for lung scintigraphy from 1995 to 1998. The mean follow-up time was 653 +/- 424 days. RESULTS: The diagnosis of PE was confirmed in 194 and excluded in 394 patients, respectively. The overall prevalence of PE was 33%. Amongst clinical and paraclinical variables, age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart rate, pleuritic pain, presence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), electrocardiographic signs of right ventricular (RV) strain were identified as independent predictors of the diagnosis of PE. Amongst patients with PE anticoagulation was given in 96% for at least 3 months and 13% received thrombolytic therapy. Recurrent PE was seen in 6% of patients with PE whereas none of the patients with no diagnosis of PE suffered PE during follow-up. The 1 year mortality was 18% amongst patients with PE and 15% in patients with excluded PE (P=NS). The cause of death amongst patients with PE was cancer (49%) and PE (28%), whereas patients without PE had an excess mortality because of cancer, COPD, acute myocardial infarction and heart failure. CONCLUSION: Patients admitted to hospital on suspicion of PE have increased risk of adverse clinical outcome whether the diagnosis of PE is confirmed or not. This indicates that the patients where the diagnosis is excluded often suffer from other serious illness that warrants further investigations.

[Characteristics and treatment of acute pulmonary embolism. A study of 183 consecutive patients treated during the period 1995 to 1998]. / Karakteristik og behandling af akut lungeemboli. En undersøgelse af 183 konsekutive patienter behandlet i perioden 1995 til 1998.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism during 1995-1998. The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in 183 patients was confirmed based on the clinical and lung scan findings. Compared to previous studies fewer cases with pulmonary embolism after surgery, immobilisation and history of trauma to lower extremity were noted. Deep vein thrombosis and electrocardiographic signs of acute right ventricular strains were found frequently, and should support the suspicion of pulmonary embolism. A normal plasma fibrin D-dimer was noted in several patients. When using the D-dimer for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism the result given depends on the assay method used, the assay specific discriminatory level and duration of symptoms. The total one year mortality was 16% whereas the mortality due to pulmonary embolism was 6%.

29-week doxazosin treatment in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. A double-blind placebo-controlled study.

In a placebo-controlled study, the safety and efficacy of the selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor-blocking agent doxazosin 4 mg once daily in the symptomatic treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were evaluated. One hundred patients were primarily included in a 9-weeks study, and after this 75 patients accepted to continue in the present 20 weeks extension. Of the patients in the doxazosin-group (DG) 61% reported overall improvement against 53% in the placebo-group (PG)--(p = 0.56). In the DG, 49% of obstructive symptoms were improved compared to 27% in the PG (p < 0.01), and a reduction of 60% of irritative symptoms was found in the DG against 36% in the PG (p < 0.01). Daytime frequency was reduced by median 1.5 in the DG and remained unchanged in the PG (p < 0.01). Nocturia was reduced by median 1 and 0.5 respectively (p = 0.06). Maximum urinary flow rate (MFR) was improved by median 1.5 ml/s in the DG, while it deteriorated by median 0.5 ml/s in the PG (p < 0.05), Considering postvoid residual urine volume, cystometry variables (first sensation and bladder capacity), changes in sexual function and adverse events there was no difference between the two groups. In conclusion, doxazosin 4 mg once daily in long-term treatment of patients with BPH reduces both obstructive and irritative symptoms, daytime voiding frequency and although only slightly, significantly augments MFR without interference with sexual function and without other serious adverse effects.

Doxazosin treatment in patients with prostatic obstruction. A double-blind placebo-controlled study.

The safety and efficacy of the selective alpha 1-blocking agent doxazosin 4 mg once daily in the symptomatic treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled 9-week study of 100 patients. By patients' overall assessment of voiding difficulties, 79% in the doxazosin group (DG) and 44% in the placebo group (PG) reported improvement (p = 0.001). In the DG, improvement was noted in 63% of obstructive symptoms compared to 32% in the PG (p = 0.015), whereas improvement was noted in 76% and 45%, respectively, of irritative symptoms (p = 0.12). Daytime frequency was reduced by 1.5 in the DG and increased by 0.3 in the PG (p = 0.001), and nocturia was reduced by 1.1 and 1.0, respectively (p = 0.12). Maximum urinary flow rate was improved by 1.5 ml/s in the DG, while it deteriorated by 0.3 ml/s in the PG (p = 0.11). Considering postvoid residual urine volume, cystometry variables (first sensation and bladder capacity) and adverse events there was no difference between the two groups. In conclusion, doxazosin 4 mg once daily is safe and effective in relieving symptoms in patients with BPH.

Synovitis reduced by inhibition of leukotriene B4. Carrageenan-induced gonarthritis studied in dogs.

The pathophysiologic significance of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in arthritis was studied in dogs by unilateral intraarticular deposition of 15-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), an endogenous inhibitor of the formation and the effects of LTB4, in bilateral carrageenan-induced gonarthritis. LTB4 in synovial fluid was selectively inhibited in 15-HETE treated joints, the formation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) being largely unaffected. The clinical symptoms, intraarticular pressure, and extractable synovial fluid volume were reduced in treated joints. No effect could be discerned regarding blood flow in the synovial membrane, capsule, or juxta-articular bone as measured by tracer microspheres; and no effect on bone metabolism was found as judged by 99mTc-diphosphonate uptake. Thus, inhibition of LTB4 reduces joint exudation, but does not seem to interfere with changes in juxta-articular hemodynamics or bone metabolism following synovial inflammation.

Final gastric emptying of solid food in healthy subjects: determined by X-ray examination and radionuclide imaging.

In ten healthy subjects final gastric emptying of solid food was measured by a new scintigraphic method, employing 99mTc labelled pellets, and compared to a radiologic method, employing food with incorporated barium suspension. Final gastric emptying of solid food, measured by the scintigraphic technique, was 5.2 hours and with the radiographic technique 5.5 hours, with no significant difference. It is concluded that significant information concerning gastric emptying of solid food can be obtained by the radiological method.

Hemodynamic effects of knee-joint tamponade. 99mTc-diphosphonate scintimetry in growing dogs.

We studied the influence of joint effusion on juxtaarticular vascularity and bone metabolism of the immature knee in puppies by dynamic and static 99mTc-diphosphonate scintimetry. Unilateral joint tamponade of 10 KPa (75 mmHg), introduced by intraarticular dextran-70 infusion, resulted in quantitatively similar scintimetric changes in an angiographic Phase I (0-20 sec), a blood pool Phase II (20-256 sec), and a bone-uptake Phase III (2 h). The uptake was reduced by 20 percent in the distal femoral epiphysis, by 15 percent in the distal femoral growth plate in Phases II-III, and by 8 percent in the proximal tibial growth plate in Phase III. The main part of scintimetric changes during joint tamponade could be ascribed to altered epiphyseal and metaphyseal intraosseous hemodynamics.

Comparison of indapamide and hydrochlorothiazide plus amiloride as a third drug in the treatment of arterial hypertension.

In a randomized, double-blind crossover trial, indapamide (IND) 2.5 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg + amiloride 2.5 mg (HCTZ + A) were found to be equally effective in reducing blood pressure (BP) in 13 patients with moderate to severe hypertension already receiving chronic treatment with a beta blocker and a vasodilatator (supine BP during run-in: 169/103 +/- 21/5 mmHg; on IND: 149/91 +/- 21/14 mmHg; on HCTZ + A 144/88 +/- 23/5 mmHg). Both drugs induced insignificant reductions in body weight, and no change in plasma volume was seen. Serum potassium was significantly reduced on both regimens--the values recorded on IND being significantly lower than those seen on HCTZ + A. Values below 3.0 mmol/l were found in two patients receiving IND, but no subjective side effects were reported. Hyperuricemia occurred with the same frequency on both regimens. It is concluded that IND, just like the thiazide diuretics, is useful as the third drug in patients needing triple drug therapy to control BP, but metabolic adverse effects are not avoided by the choice of this drug.

99mTc-DPD uptake in juvenile hemarthrosis. Scintimetry and autoradiography of the knee in dogs.

The pathogenesis of subchondral bone lesions and growth plate affection in hemophilic arthropathy was studied in puppies by means of repeated regional 99mTc-diphosphonate scintimetry and contact autoradiography. Unilateral hemarthrosis of the knee was induced by biweekly intraarticular injections of autologous blood for 12 weeks. Hemarthrosis caused an early (2 to 4 weeks) decrease in uptake of 99mTc-diphosphonate in the juxtaarticular growth plates (ratio 0.7) and a delayed (8 to 10 weeks) increase in epiphyseal uptake (ratio 1.5). In a recovery phase after hemarthrosis, growth plate uptake returned to normal, while the epiphyseal uptake remained elevated for 8 to 10 weeks. By contact autoradiography, the growth plate uptake was localized to the calcification layer at the metaphyseal aspect of the growth plates, while the epiphyseal uptake mainly was seen in the thin subchondral and subsynovial bone layer and around osteophytes. The changes in uptake of 99mTc-diphosphonate following hemarthrosis for 3 months were reversible and could be ascribed to the presence of synovial inflammation.

Three-phase [99mTc]diphosphonate scintimetry in septic and nonseptic arthritis of the immature knee: an experimental investigation in dogs.

We compared the informative value of dynamic and static [99mTc]diphosphonate ([99mTc]DPD) scintimetry in early septic arthritis (SA) and chronic nonseptic arthritis (NSA) of the knee in puppies. SA (n = 10), induced by injection of Staphylococcus aureus into one knee, was examined after 48 h. NSA (n = 6) was induced by weekly intraarticular instillation of 1% carrageenan and examined at 2 and 12 weeks. Epiphyseal and metaphyseal count ratios (CRs) between experimental and control joint were calculated in an angiographic phase (0-20 s), a "blood pool" phase (20-256 s), and a bone uptake phase (2 hs). Control dogs (n = 4) had a CR of 1.0 in all regions and phases, the coefficients of variation being 0.06 and 0.03 in dynamic and static phases, respectively. In NSA, all scintimetric phases showed decreased metaphyseal uptake and largely unchanged epiphyseal uptake. Generally, SA exhibited vastly increased angiographic uptake in all regions and increased epiphyseal blood pool uptake, whereas delayed epiphyseal uptake varied and delayed metaphyseal uptake tended to decrease. Two septic joints had generalized reduction in dynamic uptake, probably owing to increased intraarticular pressure; in one of these, dynamic uptake in the distal femoral epiphysis (FE) was totally absent, suggesting temporary circulatory arrest during the dynamic scanning procedure. The use of regional dynamic and static [99mTc]DPD scintimetry increased the pathophysiologic and diagnostic value of joint scintigraphy, especially with respect to the early detection of SA and its avascular complications.

Tissue vitality in septic gonitis. 99mTc-DPD scintimetry in puppies.

After a single intraarticular injection of 10(9) Staphylococcus aureus in 12 puppies, septic arthritis developed in all the experimental knees after 48 hours. A considerable variability in scintigraphic appearance was observed. The juxtaarticular growth plates showed either unchanged or slightly decreased uptake except in 1 dog exhibiting a definite increase in tracer uptake. The epiphyseal uptake showed no consistent pattern. The intraarticular pressure of the arthritic joints increased significantly, but was not related to the tracer uptake pattern. We conclude that delayed joint scintigraphy as a single investigation in early septic arthritis does not provide diagnostic information and may be misleading.

99mTc-DPD uptake in juvenile arthritis. Scintimetry and autoradiography of the knee in dogs.

Unilateral arthritis of the knee was induced in mongrel puppies by intraarticular injections of 1% Carragheenan. Bone metabolism was studied by a scintimetric technique on static 99mTc-diphosphonate bone scans every 2nd week during the induction of arthritis for 3 months and monthly in a postarthritic phase of another 3 months. Changes in uptake of radionuclide were present after 2 weeks. The induction phase was characterized by a decreased uptake in the calcification layer of the juxta-articular growth plates and a moderately increased epiphyseal uptake. The postarthritic phase was characterized by normalization of growth plate uptake and a marked increase in epiphyseal uptake. Using contact autoradiography, the epiphyseal uptake was seen mainly in a narrow subchondral and subsynovial bone layer, around bone cysts and osteophytes, whereas central epiphyseal bone was osteopenic with decreased uptake of tracer. The study suggests that the early scintigraphic appearance of juvenile non-suppurative arthritis may be an overall decrease in uptake of 99mTc-diphosphonate due to a depression of growth plate metabolism.

Femoral artery pressure measurement to predict the outcome of arterial surgery in patients with multilevel disease.

Direct measurement of the femoral artery pressure before operation has been used to predict the postoperative change in ankle and toe pressure in 102 limbs (83 patients) that underwent aortoiliac surgery for the treatment of atherosclerotic occlusion or stenosis affecting both the aortoiliac and femoral artery segments. Rest pain or gangrene was present in 74 limbs. In 26 other limbs simultaneous aortoiliac and femoral artery reconstructions were performed. The changes in both toe and ankle pressures could be confidently predicted from the preoperative data. A predicted toe pressure of lower than 25 mm Hg was associated with a high probability that amputation would be required. The chances of an amputation were less than 3% if a toe pressure higher than 40 mm Hg was predicted. If the predicted ankle pressure index was lower than 0.56, there was a 90% chance that intermittent claudication would persist. Measurement of the femoral artery pressure allows prediction of the toe and ankle pressure response to surgery to be made with sufficient accuracy to permit a preoperative decision to be made between the need for a single-level or a two-level arterial reconstruction: no patients who had an aortoiliac reconstruction needed a subsequent downstream repair of the femoral segment.

The reflex dystrophy syndrome response to treatment with systemic corticosteroids.

Twenty-three patients with reflex dystrophy syndrome were randomly allocated to medication with oral prednisone, 10 mg thrice daily, or placebo, previous reports having indicated effect of systemic corticosteroids. The medication was continued until clinical remission, maximally 12 weeks. The diagnosis was based on fulfillment of at least four of seven criteria which included clinical, radiological and circulatory changes. All 13 patients in the prednisone-treated group showed more than 75% clinical improvement within the twelve-week period. Of the ten patients who received placebo, only two reported improvement. Prednisone appears to be superior to other treatment in reflex dystrophy syndrome, although the mode of action is not known.

Multiple level arterial occlusions of the leg. Reliability of indirect thigh pressures in the assessment of proximal arterial obstruction.

19 patients with obstructive arterial disease both proximal and distal to the inguinal ligament were studied with segmental blood pressure recordings because reconstruction of the proximal lesion was considered. The common femoral pressure was measured intraarterially as well as with a 12 cm cuff placed as proximally as possible on the thigh. The proximal pressures measured by the two techniques were found to correlate well. Thus, the atraumatic cuff pressure technique is validated which can be of use in evaluating multilevel occlusions and the associated run off problem involved in partial proximal reconstruction.

Direct measured systolic pressure gradients across the aorto-iliac segment in multiple-level-obstruction arteriosclerosis.

Patients with severe ischemia due to multi-level obstructions in the leg arteries both above and below the region were assessed preoperatively by intraarterial brachial and femoral artery pressure measurements. The systolic pressure drop along aorto-iliac obstructions was compared to the angiographic findings. A consistent pressure gradient was found in the various types of arterial occlusions. In patients with occlusion of both the aorta and the iliac arteries, the systolic pressure drop was about 60% (range, 50-78%, SD 9%). The various types of iliac artery occlusions resulted in quite uniform systolic pressure drops of about 50% (range 35-68%, SD 9%). In contrast, the systolic pressure drop along different types of iliac stenoses showed a wide variation, ranging from a minimal drop to about 60%. The degree of stenosis on the angiogram was correlated significantly with the pressure drop. Due to large variations, however, the angiographic information was found to be useless in the individual patient. No difference in the pressure drop was found between cases in which rich and poor collateral networks were visualized.

Supplementary angiography when lumbar angiograms fail to demonstrate the vessels to the leg.

The peripheral run-off arteries were insufficiently visualized due to occlusions in the aorto-iliac segments in studies of 10 patients (15 legs) in 183 consecutive aorto-femoral angiograms. Guided by a combination of the Doppler technique and fluoroscopy, the non-opacified and pulseless common femoral artery was catheterized. Angiography through this catheter usually showed patency of a part of the common femoral artery but occlusion of the superficial femoral artery. The deep femoral and crural arteries were well preserved. Intra-arterial pressure measurements showed larger pressure gradients along the occluded aorto-iliac segments in one-third of the patients with non-visualized leg arteries as compared with gradients in patients with similar proximal and distal occlusions but with good opacification of the leg arteries. In previous cases, non-visualization of the leg arteries was considered as representing non-reconstructable lesions by our vascular surgeons. The findings in the present study showed that in these patients surgical reconstruction of only the aorto-iliac segments will suffice to save the limb from amputation.