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Thrombus load and acute right ventricular failure in pulmonary embolism: correlation and demonstration of a “tipping point” on CT pulmonary angiography

2012; Wiley; Volume: 85; Issue: 1019 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1259/bjr/22397455

1748-880X

Lee Wong, Ahsan R. Akram, Siobhan McGurk, Edwin J.R. van Beek, John H. Reid, J.T. Murchison,

Cardiovascular and Diving-Related Complications

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between increasing pulmonary embolism thrombus load and right ventricular (RV) dilatation as demonstrated by CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and to assess the thrombus load threshold which indicates impending RV decompensation.2425 consecutive CTPAs were retrospectively analysed. Thrombus load using a modified Miller score (MMS), RV to left ventricular (RV:LV) ratio, presence of septal shift, and pulmonary artery and aorta size were analysed in 504 positive CTPA scans and a representative cohort of 100 negative scans. Results were correlated using non-parametric analysis (two-tailed t-test or χ(2) test) and Pearson's rank correlation.Increasing thrombus load correlated with a higher RV:LV ratio, with a statistically significant difference in RV:LV ratios between the negative and positive pulmonary embolism (PE) cohorts. Larger thrombus loads (MMS ≥12 vs MMS <12) were strongly correlated with RV strain (mean RV:LV ratio, 1.323 vs 0.930; p<0.0001). Smaller thrombus loads had no significant influence on RV strain. Septal shift was also more likely with an MMS of ≥12, as was an increase in pulmonary artery diameter (r=0.221, p 12 and an increase in RV:LV ratio. This finding may help to improve risk stratification in patients with acute PE diagnosed by CTPA.