Pulmonary embolism: Age specific temporal trends in incidence and mortality in Denmark 1999-2018

Incidence, risk factors, and mortality of pulmonary embolism in the Netherlands (2015-22): sex differences and shifts during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Epidemiology of pulmonary embolism (PE) may have shifted since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to describe temporal trends in PE epidemiology in the Netherlands since 2015.

METHODS

Using nationwide data from Statistics Netherlands, all Dutch inhabitants (>16 million) without a history of PE were dynamically identified on 1 January of each year to assemble eight cohorts of PE-free Dutch inhabitants in 2015-22. They were individually followed until the end of that respective year to determine 1-year risk of PE (identified by hospital diagnoses/primary cause of death) and establish relevant risk factors. The PE cases were subsequently studied to determine 1-year all-cause mortality following PE. Multivariable logistic regression with cluster-robust standard errors and robust Poisson regression were respectively employed to evaluate relative differences in PE incidence and mortality between years.

RESULTS

Pulmonary embolism incidence in the Dutch population decreased from 2015 to 2019 but markedly increased by 23% (95% confidence interval 20%-26%), 52% (48%-56%), and 7% (4%-9%) in 2020-22 (vs. 2019), respectively. Most traditional PE risk factors remained associated with PE in 2020-22 but generally with a weaker association. Pulmonary embolism mortality was stable until 2019 but then increased by 10% (6%-14%) in 2020 and 9% (6%-13%) in 2021, while the increase [2% (-1% to 6%)] was insignificant in 2022. The above-mentioned changes since 2020 were generally greater in males than females.

CONCLUSIONS

The seemingly favourable pre-pandemic temporal trends in PE epidemiology in the Netherlands reversed during the COVID-19 pandemic but appear to revert to pre-pandemic levels after 2022.

Failure rate of the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria rule for adults 35 years or younger: Findings from the RIETE Registry

BACKGROUND

The use of a computed tomography pulmonary angiogram to diagnose pulmonary embolism (PE) has increased, leading not only to higher PE diagnoses but also to overdiagnosis and unnecessary radiation exposure, even in young patients despite a lower PE incidence. The aim of this study was to assess the failure rate of the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria 35 (PERC-35) rule developed to reduce unnecessary testing in individuals aged ≤35 years among patients included in the Registro Informatizado de la Enfermedad TromboEmbolica Venosa (RIETE) Registry.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used data from the RIETE Registry, an ongoing, international prospective registry of patients with objectively confirmed venous thromboembolism. The primary outcome was the missed PE rate using PERC-35 criteria. Secondary outcomes included the comparison of demographic and clinical characteristics, PE localization, treatment strategies, and outcomes between PERC-negative (PERC-35N) versus PERC-positive (PERC-35P) patients.

RESULTS

Of 58,918 adult patients with acute PE, the PERC-35 rule demonstrated a low missed PE rate of 0.35% (n = 204), with an upper 95% confidence interval [CI] of 0.40%. The missed rate was 7.0% (95% CI 6.0%-7.9%) in the 18- to 35-year subgroup. Compared to PERC-35P patients, PERC-35N patients were younger (mean age 28.4 years), with a lower body mass index, and included a higher proportion of pregnant/postpartum women. PERC-35N patients had a significantly lower rate of chronic diseases and presented less frequently with dyspnea or syncope but more often with chest pain. They showed lower rates of positive D-dimer and troponin levels. PERC-35N patients experienced fewer major bleeding episodes, similar recurrence rates of PE/deep vein thrombosis, and no deaths during anticoagulation.

CONCLUSIONS

The PERC-35 rule demonstrated a low failure rate to exclude PE in patients aged 18-35 years and could reduce imaging and radiation exposure in young patients with a low PE pretest probability if confirmed prospectively.

Sex as a prognostic factor for mortality in adults with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is relatively common worldwide. It is a serious condition that can be life-threatening. Studies on the relationship between adverse outcomes of this condition and whether a patient is male or female have yielded inconsistent results. Determining whether there is an association between sex and short-term mortality in patients with acute PE is important as this information may help guide different approaches to PE monitoring and treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether sex (i.e. being a male or a female patient) is an independent prognostic factor for predicting mortality in adults with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism.

SEARCH METHODS

The Cochrane Vascular Information Specialist searched the Cochrane Vascular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL databases, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov trials register up to 17 February 2023. We scanned conference abstracts and reference lists of included studies and systematic reviews. We also contacted experts to identify additional studies. There were no restrictions with respect to language or date of publication.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included phase 2-confirmatory prognostic studies, that is, any longitudinal study (prospective or retrospective) evaluating the independent association between sex (male or female) and mortality in adults with acute PE.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We followed the Checklist for Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of prognostic factor studies (CHARMS-PF) and the Cochrane Prognosis Methods Group template for prognosis reviews. Two review authors independently screened the studies, extracted data, assessed the risk of bias according to the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool, and assessed the certainty of the evidence (GRADE). Meta-analyses were performed by pooling adjusted estimates. When meta-analysis was not possible, we reported the main results narratively.

MAIN RESULTS

We included seven studies (726,293 participants), all of which were retrospective cohort studies with participants recruited and managed in hospitals between 2000 and 2018. Studies took place in the USA, Spain, and Japan. Most studies were multicentre. None were conducted in low- or middle-income countries. The participants' mean age ranged from 62 to 69 years, and the proportion of females was higher in six of the seven studies, ranging from 46% to 60%. Sex and gender terms were used inconsistently. Participants received different PE treatments: reperfusion, inferior vena cava filter, anticoagulation, and haemodynamic/respiratory support. The prognostication time (the point from which the outcome was predicted) was frequently omitted. The included studies provided data for three of our outcomes of interest. We did not consider any of the studies to be at an overall low risk of bias for any of the outcomes analysed. We judged the certainty of the evidence as moderate to low due to imprecision and risk of bias. We found moderate-certainty evidence (due to imprecision) that for female patients there is likely a small but clinically important reduction in all-cause mortality at 30 days (odds ratio (OR) 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72 to 0.92; I2 = 0%; absolute risk difference (ARD) 24 fewer deaths in women per 1000 participants, 95% CI 35 to 10 fewer; 2 studies, 17,627 participants). However, the remaining review outcomes do not indicate lower mortality in female patients. There is low-certainty evidence (due to serious risk of bias and imprecision) indicating that for females with PE, there may be a small but clinically important increase in all-cause hospital mortality (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.22; I2 = 21.7%; 95% prediction interval (PI) 0.76 to 1.61; ARD 13 more deaths in women per 1000 participants, 95% CI 0 to 26 more; 3 studies, 611,210 participants). There is also low-certainty evidence (due to very serious imprecision) indicating that there may be little to no difference between males and females in PE-related mortality at 30 days (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.55 to 2.12; I2 = 0%; ARD 4 more deaths in women per 1000 participants, 95% CI 22 fewer to 50 more; 2 studies, 3524 participants). No study data was found for the other outcomes, including sex-specific mortality data at one year. Moreover, due to insufficient studies, many of our planned methods were not implemented. In particular, we were unable to conduct assessments of heterogeneity or publication bias or subgroup and sensitivity analyses.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The evidence is uncertain about sex (being male or female) as an independent prognostic factor for predicting mortality in adults with PE. We found that, for female patients with PE, there is likely a small but clinically important reduction in all-cause mortality at 30 days relative to male patients. However, this result should be interpreted cautiously, as the remaining review outcomes do not point to an association between being female and having a lower risk of death. In fact, the evidence in the review also suggested that, in female patients, there may be a small but clinically important increase in all-cause hospital mortality. It also showed that there may be little to no difference in PE-related mortality at 30 days between male and female patients. There is currently no study evidence from longitudinal studies for our other review outcomes. Although the available evidence is conflicting and therefore cannot support a recommendation for or against routinely considering sex to quantify prognosis or to guide personalised therapeutic approaches for patients with PE, this Cochrane review offers information to guide future primary research and systematic reviews.

Epidemiology of pulmonary embolism diagnosis and management among United States emergency departments over an eight-year period

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. However, as diagnostic imaging, risk stratification tools, and treatment have evolved over time, there is a critical need for current data on the incidence, testing, admission rates, and medical management of PE in the ED setting.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of ED patients with PE diagnoses from 1/1/2016 to 12/31/2023 using the Epic Cosmos national database. ED visits were identified using ICD-10 codes corresponding to acute PE. Chronic PEs were excluded. Outcomes included total ED visits, admission rates, anticoagulant treatment prescribed from the ED, and thrombolytic therapy. Anticoagulant prescriptions included warfarin, enoxaparin, dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, and betrixaban. Thrombolytic agents included alteplase, tenecteplase, and urokinase. We also assessed changes in the overall rate of CT pulmonary angiograms (CTPA) performed.

RESULTS

Out of 186,138,130 total ED encounters, PE represented 531,968 (0.29 %). The overall rate of PE diagnosis rose slowly from 0.20 % in 2016 to a peak of 0.35 % in 2021. Among those with PE, 363,584 (68.3 %) were admitted. The rate of admission declined over time from 75.6 % to 66.1 %. Among those prescribed anticoagulation, the most common medication was apixaban (40.0 %), followed by rivaroxaban (17.3 %), enoxaparin (6.1 %), warfarin (2.6 %), and dabigatran (0.4 %). Thrombolytics were administered in 4.5 % of cases, with the rate of thrombolytics peaking at 5.3 % in 2018 before lowering to 3.5 % in 2023. The overall rate of CTPA increased from 2.4 % to 5.0 %, while the rate of proportion of PEs diagnosed declined from 8.7 % to 6.4 %.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights significant shifts in the epidemiology and management of PE within the ED setting. Overall rates of PE rose, while a larger proportion were discharged. Direct oral anticoagulants have become the predominant therapy with the majority of patients receiving apixaban. Thrombolytic use occurs in a small subset and has been declining over time. CTPA rates have risen, while the overall diagnostic yield has declined.

Impact of breast-, gastrointestinal-, and lung cancer on prognosis in patients with first-time pulmonary embolism: A Danish nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is described as a prognostic factor in patients with cancer however, the prognostic impact of PE remains unknown. This study investigated, the 1-year prognosis following PE in patients with breast-, gastrointestinal-, or lung cancer stratified by cancer status.

METHODS

All Danish patients with first-time PE from 2008 to 2018 were included. Cancer status was categorized as no cancer, history of cancer, non-active cancer and active cancer. Unadjusted and age-stratified 1-year risk of death was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier estimator. Cause of death was reported using the Aalen-Johansen method.

RESULTS

Of 35,679 patients with PE, 18% had a breast-, gastrointestinal-, or lung cancer. Patients with cancer were older compared with no cancer (69.8 years [IQR: 56.2-79.8]). One-year risk of death (95% confidence interval) for active breast-, gastrointestinal-, and lung cancer was 49.5% (44.0%-54.9%), 75.0% (72.5%-77.4%) and 80.1% (78.0%-82.3%) respectively, compared with 18.9% (18.4%-19.3%) for no cancer. Age-stratified analysis revealed no association with increasing age in non-active lung cancer and all active cancers. Further, non-cardiovascular death accounted for an increasing proportion by cancer status (no cancer < history of cancer < non-active cancer < active cancer).

CONCLUSIONS

One-year risk of death was dependent on both cancer type and status; no association with age was found for patients with active cancers. Non-cardiovascular death was leading in non-active and active cancers. Thus, the occurrence of first-time PE could be regarded as a marker of cancer severity for patients with breast-, gastrointestinal-, and lung cancer.

Causal association between circulating blood cell traits and pulmonary embolism: a mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening thromboembolic disease for which there is limited evidence for effective prevention and treatment. Our goal was to determine whether genetically predicted circulating blood cell traits could influence the incidence of PE.

METHODS

Using single variable Mendelian randomization (SVMR) and multivariate Mendelian randomization (MVMR) analyses, we identified genetic associations between circulating blood cell counts and lymphocyte subsets and PE. GWAS blood cell characterization summary statistics were compiled from the Blood Cell Consortium. The lymphocyte subpopulation counts were extracted from summary GWAS statistics for samples from 3757 individuals that had been analyzed by flow cytometry. GWAS data related to PE were obtained from the FinnGen study.

RESULTS

According to the SVMR and reverse MR, increased levels of circulating white blood cells (odds ratio [OR]: 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81-0.95, p = 0.0079), lymphocytes (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.84-0.97, p = 0.0115), and neutrophils (OR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81-0.96, p = 0.0108) were causally associated with PE susceptibility. MVMR analysis revealed that lower circulating lymphocyte counts (OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.75-0.94, p = 0.0139) were an independent predictor of PE. According to further MR results, this association may be primarily related to HLA-DR+ natural killer (NK) cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Among European populations, there is a causal association between genetically predicted low circulating lymphocyte counts, particularly low HLA-DR+ NK cells, and an increased risk of PE. This finding supports observational studies that link peripheral blood cells to PE and provides recommendations for predicting and preventing this condition.

Epidemiology, Etiology, and Pathophysiology of Pulmonary Embolism

Over the last 20 years, there has been a progressive increase in the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis in the United States, Europe, and Australia. Increased use of computed tomography pulmonary angiography has likely contributed in part to this rising incidence. However, it is pertinent to note that the burden of comorbidities associated with PE, such as malignancy, obesity, and advanced age, has also increased over the past 20 years. Time-trend analysis in North American, European, and Asian populations suggests that mortality rates associated with PE have been declining. The reported improved survival rates in PE over the past 20 years are likely, at least in part, to be the result of better adherence to guidelines, improved risk stratification, and enhanced treatment. Factors contributing to the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) include stasis of blood, hypercoagulability, endothelial injury, and inflammation. In 70 to 80% of cases of PE, the thrombi embolizes from the proximal deep veins of the lower extremities and pelvis. Strong risk factors for VTE include lower extremity fractures and surgeries, major trauma, and hospitalization within the previous 3 months for acute myocardial infarction or heart failure with atrial fibrillation. Acute PE causes several pathophysiological responses including hypoxemia and right ventricle (RV) failure. The latter is a result of pulmonary artery occlusion and associated vasoconstriction. Hemodynamic compromise from RV failure is the principal cause of poor outcome in patients with acute PE.

Dust particulate matter increases pulmonary embolism onset: A nationwide time-stratified case-crossover study in China

BACKGROUND

Particulate matter (PM) has been found to elevate the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) onset. Among the contributors to PM, dust PM stands as the second natural source, and its emissions are escalating due to climate change. Despite this, information on the effect of dust PM on PE onset is scarce. Hence, this study aims to investigate the impacts of dust PM10, dust PM2.5-10, and dust PM2.5 on PE onset.

METHODS

A nationwide time-stratified case-crossover study was conducted between 2015 and 2020, using data from 18,616 PE onset cases across 1,921 hospitals in China. The analysis employed a conditional logistic regression model to quantify the associations between dust PM10, dust PM2.5-10, and dust PM2.5 and PE onset. Furthermore, the study explored the time-distributed lag pattern of the effect of dust PM on PE development. Stratified analyses were performed based on sex, age, region, and season.

RESULTS

Dust PM10, dust PM2.5-10, and dust PM2.5 exhibited significant health effects on PE onset, particularly concerning exposure on the same day. The peak estimates were observed at lag 01 day, with the odds ratio being 1.011 [95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.003, 1.019], 1.014 (95 % CI: 1.003, 1.026), and 1.039 (95 % CI: 1.011, 1.068), for a 10 μg/m3 increase in the concentration of dust PM10, dust PM2.5-10, and dust PM2.5, respectively. In addition, the study identified a higher risk of PE onset associated with dust PM exposure during the warm season than that in cool season, particularly for dust PM2.5.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from this study suggest that short-term exposure to dust PM, particularly dust PM2.5, may trigger PE onset, posing a significant health threat. Implementing measures to mitigate dust PM emissions and protect patients with PE from dust PM exposure is imperative.

Short- and Long-Term Mortality for Patients With and Without a Cancer Diagnosis Following Pulmonary Embolism in Denmark, 2000 to 2020: A Nationwide Study

BACKGROUND

New treatment regimens have been introduced in the past 20 years, which may influence the short- and long-term prognosis for patients with and without a cancer diagnosis following pulmonary embolism. However, newer studies investigating these trends are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the 30- and 31- to 365-day mortality following pulmonary embolism.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the Danish nationwide registries, patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism between 2000 and 2020 were included. Age- and sex-standardized 30- and 31- to 365-day mortality was calculated and stratified by cancer status. In total, 60 614 patients (29.6% with recent cancer; mean age, 68.2 years) were included. The 30-day mortality for patients with no recent cancer decreased from 19.1% (95% CI, 17.9%-20.4%) in 2000 to 7.3% (95% CI, 6.7%-8.0%) in 2018 to 2020 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.36 [95% CI, 0.32-0.40]; P<0.001). The 30-day mortality for patients with recent cancer decreased from 32.2% (95% CI, 28.8%-36.6%) to 14.1% (95% CI, 12.7%-15.5%) (HR, 0.38 [95% CI, 0.33-0.44]; P<0.001). The 31- to 365-day mortality for patients with no recent cancer decreased from 12.5% (95% CI, 11.4%-13.6%) to 9.4% (95% CI, 8.6%-10.2%) (HR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.64-0.83]; P<0.001).The 31- to 365-day mortality for patients with recent cancer remained stable: 39.4% (95% CI, 35.1%-43.7%) to 38.3% (95% CI, 35.9%-40.6%) (HR, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.84-1.12]; P=0.69).

CONCLUSIONS

From 2000 to 2020, improvements were observed in 30-day mortality following pulmonary embolism regardless of cancer status. For patients with recent cancer, 31- to 365-day mortality did not improve, whereas a minor improvement was observed for patients without recent cancer.

Measuring Quality of Life after Venous Thromboembolism: Who, When, and How?

There is a growing body of evidence revealing that many patients with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) suffer from long-lasting sequelae such as post-thrombotic syndrome and post-pulmonary embolism syndrome. These two syndromes are detrimental to patients as they affect their quality of life (QOL). From this perspective, monitoring QOL may play a crucial role to improve quality care in VTE patients. Many studies have explored possible temporal relations between VTE episodes and decreased functional status and/or QOL. However, studies exploring the implementation of QOL and functional status questionnaires in clinical practice are scarce. In this context, we discuss possible perspectives synthetized from available literature regarding in whom, when, and how QOL could be measured in clinical practice.

Troponin dependent 30-day mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND

Troponin concentrations above upper reference are associated with increased mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). We aimed to assess whether risk of 30-day mortality increases in a dose-response relationship with concentration of troponin.

METHODS

Using Danish national registries, we identified patients ≥ 18 years of age hospitalized with first-time PE between 2013 and 2018 and available troponin measurements - 1/+1 day from admission. Patients were stratified into quintiles by increasing troponin concentration. Risk of 30-day mortality was assessed performing cumulative mortality curves and Cox regression model comparing the troponin quintiles.

RESULTS

We identified 5,639 PE patients of which 3,278 (58%) had a troponin concentration above upper reference. These patients were older (74 years), 50% male and with heavier comorbidity compared to patients with non-elevated troponin. We found increasing 30-day mortality with increasing troponin concentration (1% in 1st quintile (95% CI 0.5-1.5%), 2% in 2nd quintile (95% CI 1-2.5%), 8% in 3rd quintile (95% CI 5-9%), 11% in 4th quintile (95% CI 9-13%) and 15% in 5th quintile (95% CI 13-16%), confirmed in a Cox model comparing 1st quintile with 2nd quintile (HR 1.09; 95% CI 0.58-2.02), 3rd quintile (HR 3.68; 95% CI 2.20-6.15), 4th quintile (HR 5.51; 95% CI 3.34-9.10) and 5th quintile (HR 8.09; 95% CI 4.95-13.23).

CONCLUSION

30-day mortality was strongly associated with troponin concentration useful for improving risk stratification, treatment strategies and outcomes in PE patients.

Anatomic distribution of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism: A 10-year retrospective analysis

Aims

To investigate the potential relationship between anatomic distribution of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (LEDVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods

A retrospective case-control study was performed in patients diagnosed with LEDVT, which were confirmed by bilateral lower extremity compression ultrasonography (CUS) examination. According to the ultrasound reports, thrombus sidedness was categorized as unilateral and bilateral lower extremity, thrombus location was classified into distal and proximal LEDVT. Anatomic distributions of LEDVT were further subdivided depending on the combination of thrombus sidedness and location. Patients with PE were identified using the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) codes (I26.0 and I26.9), and divided into PE group and Non-PE group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between anatomic distribution of LEDVT and PE. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted.

Results

A total of 2,363 consecutive patients with LEDVT were included, of whom 66.10% and 33.90% were unilateral and bilateral LEDVT, as well as 71.39% and 28.61% were isolated distal and proximal LEDVT, respectively. After the diagnosis of LEDVT, 185 patients (7.83%) developed PE. The proportions of PE ranged between the lowest (4.07%) in unilateral-distal LEDVT and highest (14.55%) in bilateral-proximal LEDVT. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that bilateral LEDVT (odds ratios [OR] = 2.455, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.803-3.344, P < 0.001) and proximal LEDVT (OR = 1.530, 95% CI: 1.105-2.118, P = 0.010) were risk factors for developing PE. Moreover, unilateral-proximal (OR = 2.129, 95% CI: 1.365-3.320, P = 0.00), bilateral-distal (OR = 3.193, 95% CI: 2.146-4.752, P < 0.001) and bilateral-proximal LEDVT(OR = 3.425, 95% CI: 2.093-5.603, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with an increased risk of PE. Sensitivity analyses also confirmed the robustness of these associations.

Conclusion

Patients with unilateral-proximal, bilateral-distal or bilateral-proximal are more likely to suffer from PE than those with unilateral-distal LEDVT.

Cost-of-Illness Analysis of Long-Term Health Care Resource Use and Disease Burden in Patients With Pulmonary Embolism: Insights From the PREFER in VTE Registry

Background As mortality from pulmonary embolism (PE) decreases, the personal and societal costs among survivors are receiving increasing attention. Detailing this burden would support an efficient public health resource allocation. We aimed to provide estimates for the economic and disease burden of PE also accounting for long-term health care use and both direct and indirect costs beyond the acute phase. Methods and Results This is a cost-of-illness analysis with a bottom-up approach based on data from the PREFER in VTE registry (Prevention of Thromboembolic Events-European Registry in Venous Thromboembolism). We calculated direct (clinical events and anticoagulation) and indirect costs (loss of productivity) of an acute PE event and its 12-month follow-up in 2020 Euros. We estimated a disability weight for the 12-month post-PE status and corresponding disability adjusted life years presumably owing to PE. Disease-specific costs in the first year of follow-up after an incident PE case ranged between 9135 Euros and 10 620 Euros. The proportion of indirect costs was 42% to 49% of total costs. Costs were lowest in patients with ongoing cancer, mainly because productivity loss was less evident in this already burdened population. The calculated disability weight for survivors who were cancer free 12 months post-PE was 0.017, and the estimated disability adjusted life years per incident case were 1.17. Conclusions The economic burden imposed by PE to society and affected patients is considerable, and productivity loss is its main driver. The disease burden from PE is remarkable and translates to the loss of roughly 1.2 years of healthy life per incident PE case.

Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Review

IMPORTANCE

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is characterized by occlusion of blood flow in a pulmonary artery, typically due to a thrombus that travels from a vein in a lower limb. The incidence of PE is approximately 60 to 120 per 100 000 people per year. Approximately 60 000 to 100 000 patients die from PE each year in the US.

OBSERVATIONS

PE should be considered in patients presenting with acute chest pain, shortness of breath, or syncope. The diagnosis is determined by chest imaging. In patients with a systolic blood pressure of at least 90 mm Hg, the following 3 steps can be used to evaluate a patient with possible PE: assessment of the clinical probability of PE, D-dimer testing if indicated, and chest imaging if indicated. The clinical probability of PE can be assessed using a structured score or using clinical gestalt. In patients with a probability of PE that is less than 15%, the presence of 8 clinical characteristics (age <50 years, heart rate <100/min, an oxygen saturation level of > 94%, no recent surgery or trauma, no prior venous thromboembolism event, no hemoptysis, no unilateral leg swelling, and no estrogen use) identifies patients at very low risk of PE in whom no further testing is needed. In patients with low or intermediate clinical probability, a D-dimer level of less than 500 ng/mL is associated with a posttest probability of PE less than 1.85%. In these patients, PE can be excluded without chest imaging. A further refinement of D-dimer threshold is possible in patients aged 50 years and older, and in patients with a low likelihood of PE. Patients with a high probability of PE (ie, >40% probability) should undergo chest imaging, and D-dimer testing is not necessary. In patients with PE and a systolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher, compared with heparin combined with a vitamin K antagonist such as warfarin followed by warfarin alone, direct oral anticoagulants such as apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, or dabigatran, are noninferior for treating PE and have a 0.6% lower rate of bleeding. In patients with PE and systolic blood pressure lower than 90 mm Hg, systemic thrombolysis is recommended and is associated with an 1.6% absolute reduction of mortality (from 3.9% to 2.3%).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In the US, PE affects approximately 370 000 patients per year and may cause approximately 60 000 to 100 000 deaths per year. First-line therapy consists of direct oral anticoagulants such as apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, or dabigatran, with thrombolysis reserved for patients with systolic blood pressure lower than 90 mm Hg.