The role compression ultrasound in hospitalized patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.

VÁZQUEZ, FERNANDO; MARIA LOURDES POSADAS MARTINEZ; SEVILLA SG; GIUNTA DIEGO; ESTEBAN GANDARA

THROMBOSIS RESEARCH

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2014

0049-3848

In emergency departments, suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) can be safely ruled out by a normal multi-slice CT angiography (CTPA) 1234 without the need for additional leg compression ultrasonography (CUS). This diagnostic approach for those who develop symptoms of PE during hospitalization has been validated by only a limited number of studies. [25] . In this study we aim to estimate prevalence of both proximal and distal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in hospitalized patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) and estimate the clinical utility of a bilateral whole leg CUS in patients with suspected PE. We conducted a prospective single center cohort study approved by the ethics board at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires ; a 500 hundred bed academic hospital. The original plan was to conduct the study at two centers and recruit 210 subjects however, one of the research teams were unable to recruit subjects due to financial constraints. As the study had already enrolled more than 30% of the expected sample size, an analysis was done in order to rule out futility. Patients evaluated for suspected PE were eligible to participate in the study if: 1-They were able to provide consent; 2-Presented with symptoms suggestive of PE (acute onset of new or worsening shortness of breath, chest pain, hemoptysis, presyncope, or syncope); 3-Symptoms developed > 48 hours after admission in medically ill patients; or > 24hs of admission after a major surgical procedure (defined as an anaesthesia time > 90 minutes); and were evaluated with CTPA.