title: Multidetector-CT angiography in pulmonary embolism-can image parameters predict clinical outcome?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess if pulmonary CT angiography (CTA) can predict outcome in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of CTA studies of patients with PE and documentation of pulmonary artery (PA)/aorta ratio, right ventricular (RV)/left ventricular (LV) ratio, superior vena cava (SVC) diameter, pulmonary obstruction index (POI), ventricular septal bowing (VSB), venous contrast reflux (VCR), pulmonary infarction and pleural effusion. Furthermore, duration of total hospital stay, necessity for/duration of ICU therapy, necessity for mechanical ventilation and mortality were recorded. Comparison was performed by logistic/linear regression analysis with significance at 5%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  152 patients were investigated. Mean duration of hospital stay was 21  ±  24 days. 66 patients were admitted to the ICU; 20 received mechanical ventilation. Mean duration of ICU therapy was 3  ±  8 days. Mortality rate was 8%. Significant positive associations of POI, VCR and pulmonary infarction with necessity for ICU therapy were shown. VCR was significantly associated with necessity for mechanical ventilation and duration of ICU treatment. Pleural effusions were significantly associated with duration of total hospital stay whereas the RV/LV ratio correlated with mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Selected CTA findings showed significant associations with the clinical course of PE and may thus be used as predictive parameters.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitaetsklinikum Bergmannsheil GmbH, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Buerkle-de-la-Camp Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany. christoph.heyer@rub.de
authors.forename: Christoph M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Heyer
authors.forename: Stefan P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Lemburg
authors.forename: Heiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Knoop
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Holland-Letz
authors.forename: Volkmar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nicolas
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roggenland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015996:Survival Rate; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D003287:Contrast Media