title: Computed tomography to assess risk of death in acute pulmonary embolism: a meta-analysis.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether right ventricle dilation at computed tomography (CT) angiography can be used to assess the risk of death in patients with acute pulmonary embolism. Medline and EMBASE were searched up to April 30, 2013. Studies reporting on the association between right ventricle dilation (right-to-left ventricle diameter) or dysfunction (inter-ventricular septal bowing) at CT angiography and death at 30 days, as well as at 3 months in patients with acute pulmonary embolism, were included in a systematic review and meta-analysis. CT-detected right ventricle dilation was associated with an increased 30 day-mortality in all-comers with pulmonary embolism (OR 2.08 (95% CI 1.63-2.66); p<0.00001) and in haemodynamically stable patients (OR 1.64 (95% CI 1.06-2.52); p=0.03), as well as with death due to pulmonary embolism (OR 7.35 (95% CI 3.59-15.09); p<0.00001). An association between right ventricle dilation and 3-month mortality was also observed (OR 4.65 (95% CI 1.79-12.07); p=0.002). Right-to-left ventricle dilation as assessed by CT angiography can be used to evaluate risk of death in all-comers with pulmonary embolism and in haemodynamically stable patients.
authors.affiliation: Internal and Cardiovascular Medicine and Stroke Unit, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy cecilia.becattini@unipg.it.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Becattini
authors.affiliation: Internal and Cardiovascular Medicine and Stroke Unit, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Agnelli
authors.affiliation: Internal and Cardiovascular Medicine and Stroke Unit, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Germini
authors.affiliation: Internal and Cardiovascular Medicine and Stroke Unit, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Vedovati
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000792:Angiography; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality*; D012306:Risk; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome