Christchurch experience of pulmonary embolism with and without thrombolysis.
OBJECTIVE
Thrombolysis for normotensive patients with large clot burden pulmonary embolism remains debatable. We aim to document our current management of pulmonary embolism, examining determinants of therapy and outcomes.


METHODS
A retrospective chart-based review of all patients admitted with pulmonary embolism under Cardiology service in Christchurch Hospital between 2002-2007. All related CT pulmonary angiograms were also reviewed for quantification of clot burden and evidence of right ventricular strain.


RESULTS
120 patients were admitted during the audit period. Hypotensive patients had a significantly higher troponin level and Qanadli scores. RV/LV ratio >1 in CTPA was 80% sensitive and 57% specific in predicting RV strain on echocardiogram. Forty-six patients were thrombolysed, most with large clot burden and right ventricular strain. No treatment related death or intracranial haemorrhages occurred; however six patients required blood transfusion and six patients had persistent pulmonary hypertension at 6 months. There was a higher in-patient event rate in thrombolysed group, due to increased bleeding, compared to non-thrombolysed patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Thrombolysis was successfully performed with relatively low in-patient and 6-month event rate. Long term advantage over routine anticoagulation was not demonstrated. The role of thrombolysis in normotensive patients with large clot burden remains uncertain. CTPA markers of RV strain correlated well with echocardiography.
Chan
Wandy
W
Cardiology Department, Christchurch Public Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand. wandyc@cdhb.govt.nz
Campbell
Tiffany
T
MacDonald
Sharyn
S
Crozier
Ian
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D016507:Cardiology Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents