title: Computed tomography pulmonary embolism index for the assessment of survival in patients with pulmonary embolism.
abstract: This study was an analysis of the correlation between pulmonary embolism (PE) and patient survival. Among 694 consecutive patients referred to our institution with clinical suspicion of acute PE who underwent CT pulmonary angiography, 188 patients comprised the study group: 87 women (46.3%, median age: 60.7; age range: 19-88 years) and 101 men (53.7%, median age: 66.9; age range: 21-97 years). PE was assessed by two radiologist who were blinded to the results from the follow-up. A PE index was derived for each set of images on the basis of the embolus size and location. Results were analyzed using logistic regression, and correlation with risk factors and patient outcome (survival or death) was calculated. We observed no significant correlation between the CTPE index and patient outcome (p = 0.703). The test of logistic regression with the sum of heart and liver disease or presence of cancer was significantly (p< 0.05) correlated with PE and overall patient outcome. Interobserver agreement showed a significant correlation rate for the assessment of the PE index (0.993; p< 0.001). In our study the CT PE index did not translate into patient outcome. Prospective larger scale studies are needed to confirm the predictive value of the index and refine the index criteria.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Radiologie und Nuklearmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg, Leipziger Strasse 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany. maciej.pech@medizin.uni-magdeburg.de
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pech
authors.forename: Gero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wieners
authors.forename: Przemyslaw
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dul
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fischbach
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dudeck
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lopez Hänninen
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ricke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide