Early discharge and home treatment of patients with low-risk pulmonary embolism with the oral factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban: an international multicentre single-arm clinical trial

Acute pulmonary embolism with and without hemodynamic instability (2003-2022): a Swiss nationwide epidemiologic study

BACKGROUND

Data on the epidemiologic burden of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in Switzerland are unavailable. Knowledge gaps remain on trends in PE-related comorbidities, PE severity, and length of in-hospital stay (LOS) at a nationwide level.

OBJECTIVES

To study the epidemiology of acute PE with a focus on overall trends, sex-stratified trends, and trends in patients with (vs without) hemodynamic instability.

METHODS

We used nationwide, patient-level data including all patients aged 15 years or older hospitalized for PE in Switzerland from 2003 to 2022, amounting to N = 180 600. Additionally, we analyzed the Swiss Death Registry for the same period. We estimated the disease-specific age-standardized incidence rates, mortality rates, in-hospital case fatality rates, proportional mortality rates, and LOS. Analyses were stratified by sex and the presence of features of high-risk PE.

RESULTS

During the study period, the PE-related incidence rate increased from 0.87 (95% CI: 0.82, 0.92) per 1000 population in 2003 to 1.19 (95% CI: 1.15, 1.24) in 2022. In contrast, a decreasing trend was found for mortality rates (18.7 [95% CI: 16.8, 20.6] per 100 000 population in 2003, 13 [95% CI: 11.7,14.2] in 2022), in-hospital case fatality rate (9.8 [95% CI: 9.1, 10.5] deaths per 100 hospitalized PE patients in 2003, 7.9 [95% CI: 7.4, 8.5] in 2019, subsequent increase during COVID-19 pandemic), and LOS (11 [Q1-Q3: 7-18] days in 2003, 8 [Q1-Q3: 4-16] in 2022). No major sex differences in trends were present. Except for LOS reduction, patients with high-risk features presented with similar trends.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of acute PE in Switzerland increased over the last 20 years. Despite increasing trends in the median age at PE diagnosis, in-hospital case fatality and mortality rates decreased, particularly among patients with high-risk features, and the LOS progressively declined.

Outpatient management of cancer-associated pulmonary embolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Outpatient management of pulmonary embolism (PE) remains controversial in patients with cancer due to their higher risks of mortality, recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of outpatient management of cancer-associated PE.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central and Scopus databases from inception to 30 May 2024 for studies on outpatient management of cancer-associated PE. Eligible studies included randomised controlled trials, cohort studies and case-control studies with at least 10 patients. The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality; secondary outcomes included VTE-related mortality, major bleeding and recurrent VTE at 30 days. Meta-analysis was performed using random effects models and heterogeneity was assessed with the I2-statistic.

RESULTS

19 studies (13 full articles, six abstracts only) with a total of 1675 patients managed as outpatients were identified. Criteria for outpatient management of cancer-associated PE were reported in 14 studies. The pooled 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 1.74% (95% CI 0.99-3.03%; I2=0%; 691 patients, six full articles). The 30-day major bleeding pooled rate was 2.71% (95% CI 1.51-4.83%; I2=0%; 406 patients, six full articles) and the 30-day recurrent VTE pooled rate was 1.26% (95% CI 0.53-3.00%; I2=0%; 396 patients, five full articles).

CONCLUSIONS

Selected patients with cancer-associated PE managed as outpatients appear to have low short-term rates of mortality, major bleeding and recurrent VTE, suggesting this may be a safe strategy. Further research with larger, prospective studies is needed to confirm these findings and refine risk stratification protocols.

Trends in home treatment and early discharge of patients with low-risk pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND

Recent guidelines recommend a strategy of home treatment or early discharge in low-risk pulmonary embolism (PE). Contemporary rates of the implementation of this approach in everyday clinical practice are unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the proportion of patients with PE who fulfill eligibility criteria for home treatment or early discharge, to investigate in how many of them such a management strategy is actually followed, and to discover differences in early complications between early or later discharge among low-risk patients.

METHODS

Based on the United States Nationwide Emergency Department Sample and Nationwide Readmission Database, we identified low-risk PE patients (absence of hemodynamic instability, cor pulmonale, tachycardia, dyspnea, hypothermia, altered mental status, and fulfillment of the Hestia criteria). We analyzed the proportion of direct or early (<48 hours) discharge and the association with demographic and clinical variables. We also studied the 90-day occurrence of venous thromboembolism recurrence and major bleeding.

RESULTS

From 2016 to 2020, 641 621 (30.6%) of 2 099 390 PE cases in the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample database were low risk. Among low-risk PE, 31.5% received home treatment compared with 15.4% of those not classified as low risk. Home treatment for low-risk patients showed an increasing trend over time. In the Nationwide Readmission Database, 481 321 (24.7%) of 1 950 708 PE hospitalizations were classified as low risk. An early discharge strategy was followed in 22.6% of all cases, increasing to 45.9% for low-risk PE admissions, with a rising trend observed from 2016. Factors associated with home treatment or early discharge among low-risk patients included age, sex, and absence of comorbidities. Ninety-day incidence of venous thromboembolism recurrence and major bleeding was low among low-risk patients with early discharge (1.3% and 1.5%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

There is an increasing adoption of home treatment and early discharge for low-risk PE in routine practice. This approach appears safe, supporting findings from previous trials.

Criteria for home treatment of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (the Emergency Advisory and Research international board on Thrombosis and Hemostasis EARTH - rule): an international Delphi consensus study

The safety of home treatment for patients with low-risk acute pulmonary embolism (PE) has been confirmed in several studies; however, these studies have used varying triaging criteria and outcomes, leading to inconsistencies in defining safe discharge parameters. This study aimed to identify adverse outcomes that make home discharge inappropriate, as well as their timeframe and clinical criteria, indicating high risk for such events. Following a systematic literature review, an international expert panel participated in 3 Delphi survey rounds. Experts evaluated each proposal using a Likert scale, and consensus required 75% agreement. Items without consensus were reassessed in subsequent rounds until agreement was achieved. Of the 55 invited experts, 38 from 13 countries participated (69%). Consensus was reached on 6 adverse events for a composite outcome, with a 7-day postdischarge timeframe and a maximum acceptable incidence of 2.0%. The panel defined a triaging rule with 14 clinical criteria as contraindications for home treatment, grouped into 4 categories: hemodynamic (3), respiratory (1), hemorrhagic (7), and medico-social (3). An extended rule, adding 3 optional biological or imaging criteria, was developed to further refine risk assessment. The expert panel established a consensus-based triaging rule for the home treatment of PE patients. This framework defines adverse outcomes, a 7-day safety timeframe, and an acceptable risk threshold for assessing patient safety. Future prospective studies are needed to validate the Emergency Advisory and Research international board on Thrombosis and Hemostasis rule before its implementation in clinical practice.

Healthcare resource utilisation and associated costs after low-risk pulmonary embolism: pre-specified analysis of the Home Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism (HoT-PE) study

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary embolism (PE) and its sequelae impact healthcare systems globally. Low-risk PE patients can be managed with early discharge strategies leading to cost savings, but post-discharge costs are undetermined.

PURPOSE

To define healthcare resource utilisation and overall costs during follow-up of low-risk PE.

METHODS

We used an incidence-based, bottom-up approach and calculated direct and indirect costs over 3-month follow-up after low-risk PE, with data from the Home Treatment of Patients with Low-Risk Pulmonary Embolism (HoT-PE) cohort study.

RESULTS

Average 3-month costs per patient having suffered low-risk PE were 7029.62 €; of this amount, 4872.93 € were associated with PE, accounting to 69.3% of total costs. Specifically, direct costs totalled 3019.33 €, and of those, 862.64 € (28.6%) were associated with PE. Anticoagulation (279.00 €), rehospitalisations (296.83 €), and ambulatory visits (194.95 €) comprised the majority of the 3-month direct costs. The remaining costs amounting to 4010.29 € were indirect costs due to loss of productivity.

CONCLUSION

In a patient cohort with acute low-risk PE followed over 3 months, the majority of costs were indirect costs related to productivity loss, whereas direct, PE-specific post-discharge costs were low. Effective interventions are needed to reduce the burden of PE and associated costs, especially those related to productivity loss.

Socioeconomic Burden of Pulmonary Embolism in Europe: Shifting Priorities and Challenges for Novel Reperfusion Strategies

In-hospital case fatality related to acute pulmonary embolism (PE) has been falling since the beginning of this century. However, annual incidence rates continue to climb, and an increasing number of PE survivors need long-term follow-up, chronic anticoagulation treatment, and readmission(s) to the hospital. In European countries, median reimbursed hospital costs for acute PE are still moderate compared with the United States but can increase several-fold in patients with comorbidities and those necessitating potentially life-saving reperfusion treatment. The use of catheter-directed treatment (CDT) has constantly increased in the United States since the past decade, and it has now entered a rapid growth phase in Europe as well, estimated to reach an annual penetration rate of up to 31% among patients with intermediate-high- or high-risk PE by 2030. Ongoing randomised controlled trials are currently investigating the clinical efficacy and safety of these devices. In addition, they will deliver data permitting calculation of their cost-effectiveness in different health care reimbursement systems, by revealing the extent to which they can reduce complications and consequently the need for intensive care and the overall length of hospital stay. After discharge, key cost drivers are related to chronic cardiopulmonary diseases (other than PE itself) leading to frequent readmissions, persistent symptoms, and functional limitations which result in poor quality of life, productivity loss, and substantial indirect costs. Implementation of structured outpatient programmes with a holistic approach to post-PE care, targeting overall cardiovascular health and the patient's well-being, bears the potential to cost-effectively reduce the overall socioeconomic burden of PE.

A Practical Clinical Approach to Navigate Pulmonary Embolism Management: A Primer and Narrative Review of the Evolving Landscape

Advances in imaging, pharmacological, and procedural technologies have rapidly expanded the care of pulmonary embolism. Earlier, more accurate identification and quantification has enhanced risk stratification across the spectrum of the disease process, with a number of clinical tools available to prognosticate outcomes and guide treatment. Direct oral anticoagulants have enabled a consistent and more convenient long-term therapeutic option, with a greater shift toward outpatient treatment for a select group of low-risk patients. The array of catheter-directed therapies now available has contributed to a more versatile and nuanced armamentarium of treatment options, including ultrasound-facilitated thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy. Research into supportive care for pulmonary embolism have explored the optimal use of vasopressors and volume resuscitation, as well as utilization of various devices, including right ventricular mechanical support and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Even in the realm of surgery, outcomes have steadily improved in experienced centers. This rapid expansion in diagnostic and therapeutic data has necessitated implementation of pulmonary embolism response teams to better interpret the available evidence, manage the utilization of advanced therapies, and coordinate multidisciplinary care. We provide a narrative review of the risk stratification and management of pulmonary embolism, with a focus on structuralizing the multidisciplinary approach and organizing the literature on new and emerging therapies.

Oral rivaroxaban for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis in outpatients: a propensity score-matched comparison with a historical inpatient population

BACKGROUND

Despite the guidelines' appeal to treat patients with deep vein thrombosis and low-risk pulmonary embolism in outpatient settings, the real-world evidence shows a high prevalence of inpatient therapy leading to unwarranted health resource utilization. The study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in outpatient settings compared to inpatient treatment.

METHODS

A propensity score-matched comparison with a historical inpatient population was performed based on a retrospective analysis of patients with deep vein thrombosis and without pulmonary embolism treated as outpatients with oral rivaroxaban. Inpatient controls were treated with oral rivaroxaban following a short-term initial therapy with low-molecular-weight heparins. The relevant outcomes extracted from electronic medical records were as follows: recurrent deep vein thrombosis and symptomatic pulmonary embolism, major bleeding, clinically relevant non-major bleeding, minor bleeding, unscheduled hospitalization, and death.

RESULTS

Among 209 outpatients who were never admitted to the hospital the deep vein thrombosis recurrence rate was 3.3% (95%CI, 1.6-6.8%), clinically relevant non-major bleeding rate 2.9% (95%CI, 1.3-6.1), minor bleeding rate 6.2% (95%CI, 3.7-10.0%), unscheduled hospitalization rate 1.4% (95%CI, 0.5- 4.1%), mortality rate 1.4% (95%CI, 0.5-4.1%). No symptomatic pulmonary embolism or major bleeding was detected. No statistically significant differences were observed when compared with inpatient controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The outpatient use of rivaroxaban for deep vein thrombosis treatment is a safe and effective approach for patients without pulmonary embolism, with no significant differences when compared to inpatient therapy with oral rivaroxaban following a short-term initial therapy with low-molecular-weight heparins.

[Pulmonary embolism: outpatient treatment and follow-up]

Despite declining numbers - older people in particular - often die from pulmonary embolism. A rapid assessment of the risk in the event of a suspected embolism, the exclusion of comorbidities and the appropriate therapy are the focus of the current guidelines. Early and subsequent outpatient treatment of a patient with acute PE generally requires 3 criteria: low risk of early complications, the absence of serious comorbidities and the highest possible safety at home and, in the event of a complication, rapid access to acute care in the hospital. For patients with a high risk of VTE recurrence, the long-term dosage of secondary drug prophylaxis is not yet clear - studies are currently underway. In patients at moderate risk of VTE recurrence, low-dose secondary prophylaxis can be used to reduce the risk of bleeding. Outpatient pulmonary embolism follow-up care is becoming increasingly important, because studies have shown several times that serious long-term consequences can occur. In pulmonary embolism patients with persistent dyspnea, reduced performance or risk of CTEPH, an outpatient evaluation of the right ventricle using echocardiography, if necessary, in combination with the determination of natriuretic peptides or spiroergometry, is recommended.

Selection of Home Treatment and Identification of Low-Risk Patients With Pulmonary Embolism Based on Simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index Score in the Era of Direct Oral Anticoagulants

BACKGROUND

The simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI) score could help identify low-risk patients with pulmonary embolism for home treatment. However, the application of the sPESI score and selection for home treatment have not been fully evaluated in the direct oral anticoagulants era.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The COMMAND VTE (Contemporary Management and Outcomes in Patients With Venous Thromboembolism) Registry-2 is a multicenter registry enrolling consecutive patients with acute symptomatic venous thromboembolism. The current study population consists of 2496 patients with hemodynamically stable pulmonary embolism (2100 patients [84%] treated with direct oral anticoagulants), who were divided into 2 groups: sPESI scores of 0 and ≥1. We investigated the 30-day mortality, home treatment prevalence, and factors predisposing to home treatment using the Kaplan-Meier method and logistic regression model. Patients with an sPESI score of 0 accounted for 612 (25%) patients, and only 17% among 532 patients with out-of-hospital pulmonary embolism were treated at home. The cumulative 30-day mortality was lower in patients with an sPESI score of 0 than the score of ≥1 (0% and 4.8%, log-rank P<0.001). There was no patient with 30-day mortality with an sPESI score of 0. Independent factors for home treatment among out-of-hospital pulmonary embolism patients with an sPESI score of 0 were no transient risk factors for venous thromboembolism, no cardiac biomarker elevation, and direct oral anticoagulants use in the acute phase.

CONCLUSIONS

The 30-day mortality rate was notably low in an sPESI score of 0. Nevertheless, only a minority of patients with an sPESI score of 0 were treated at home between 2015 and 2020 after the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants for venous thromboembolismin Japan.

Safety of treating acute pulmonary embolism at home: an individual patient data meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Home treatment is considered safe in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) patients selected by a validated triage tool (e.g. simplified PE severity index score or Hestia rule), but there is uncertainty regarding the applicability in underrepresented subgroups. The aim was to evaluate the safety of home treatment by performing an individual patient-level data meta-analysis.

METHODS

Ten prospective cohort studies or randomized controlled trials were identified in a systematic search, totalling 2694 PE patients treated at home (discharged within 24 h) and identified by a predefined triage tool. The 14- and 30-day incidences of all-cause mortality and adverse events (combined endpoint of recurrent venous thromboembolism, major bleeding, and/or all-cause mortality) were evaluated. The relative risk (RR) for 14- and 30-day mortalities and adverse events is calculated in subgroups using a random effects model.

RESULTS

The 14- and 30-day mortalities were 0.11% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.0-0.24, I2 = 0) and 0.30% (95% CI 0.09-0.51, I2 = 0). The 14- and 30-day incidences of adverse events were 0.56% (95% CI 0.28-0.84, I2 = 0) and 1.2% (95% CI 0.79-1.6, I2 = 0). Cancer was associated with increased 30-day mortality [RR 4.9; 95% prediction interval (PI) 2.7-9.1; I2 = 0]. Pre-existing cardiopulmonary disease, abnormal troponin, and abnormal (N-terminal pro-)B-type natriuretic peptide [(NT-pro)BNP] at presentation were associated with an increased incidence of 14-day adverse events [RR 3.5 (95% PI 1.5-7.9, I2 = 0), 2.5 (95% PI 1.3-4.9, I2 = 0), and 3.9 (95% PI 1.6-9.8, I2 = 0), respectively], but not mortality. At 30 days, cancer, abnormal troponin, and abnormal (NT-pro)BNP were associated with an increased incidence of adverse events [RR 2.7 (95% PI 1.4-5.2, I2 = 0), 2.9 (95% PI 1.5-5.7, I2 = 0), and 3.3 (95% PI 1.6-7.1, I2 = 0), respectively].

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of adverse events in home-treated PE patients, selected by a validated triage tool, was very low. Patients with cancer had a three- to five-fold higher incidence of adverse events and death. Patients with increased troponin or (NT-pro)BNP had a three-fold higher risk of adverse events, driven by recurrent venous thromboembolism and bleeding.

Challenges, Recommendations, and Epidemiology of Pulmonary Embolism in India: A Narrative Review

An embolized clot that travels to the lungs from the legs or, less commonly, other parts of the body (known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT) causes pulmonary embolism (PE), which is characterized by obstruction of blood flow to the pulmonary artery. As PE has the propensity to masquerade as various illnesses affecting both the cardiovascular (CV) and the respiratory system, it is crucial to identify PE at the earliest. Appropriate diagnosis of PE may lead to earlier treatment and improved patient outcomes. While pulmonary angiography remains the established gold standard for diagnosing PE, the contemporary standard of care for this condition is the computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA). Anticoagulation therapy is the fundamental strategy for managing PE, with the forefront of treatment being the use of novel and upcoming oral anticoagulants known as non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs). The NOACs provide a practical single-drug treatment strategy, which does not hinder the patient's lifestyle and domestic responsibilities. Although PE may be fatal, early detection may lead to effective management. Despite that, mortality and morbidity associated with PE are very high in India. The awareness among Indian healthcare professionals about PE should be improved, and unified pan-country diagnostic and management guidelines should be formulated to tackle the country's PE burden.

Short- and Long-Term Prognosis in Hemodynamically Stable Pulmonary Embolism With Unresectable or Metastatic Malignancies: The Role of Performance Status

BACKGROUND

The simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI) has limitations when evaluating acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with concurrent malignancy. Despite its utility in predicting outcomes among cancer patients, the role of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) in acute PE remains underexplored. This study aims to assess the prognostic significance of ECOG PS ≥ 3 on short- and long-term mortality in acute PE with malignancy, correlating it with the sPESI.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We retrospectively analyzed 44 hemodynamically stable acute PE patients with unresectable or metastatic malignancies ineligible for curative treatment at Kameda Medical Center, a tertiary medical facility in Japan, from April 1, 2019, to March 2, 2023. Of these patients, 16 (36.4%) had ECOG PS ≥ 3. No 30-day mortality occurred in patients with ECOG PS ≤ 2, compared to 18.8% in those with ECOG PS ≥ 3 (p = 0.04). Groups were similar in the sPESI scores, hospital-onset PE proportion, and initial treatments. Post PE diagnosis, 92.9% of ECOG PS ≤ 2 patients and 50% of ECOG PS ≥ 3 patients received chemotherapy (p = 0.002). Cox regression analysis revealed ECOG PS ≥ 3 was independently associated with increased overall survival hazard (adjusted HR = 4.0; P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

ECOG PS ≥ 3 suggests a poorer short-term prognosis and independently predicts a worse long-term prognosis in hemodynamically stable acute PE patients with advanced malignancies.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants for Pulmonary Embolism

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third most common cardiovascular disease. For most patients, the standard of treatment has long consisted on low-molecular-weight heparin followed by vitamin K antagonists, but a number of clinical trials and, subsequently, post-marketing studies have shown that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) with or without lead-in heparin therapy are effective alternatives with fewer adverse effects. This evidence has led to important changes in the guidelines on the treatment of VTE, including pulmonary embolism (PE), with the DOACs being now recommended as the first therapeutic choice. Additional research has contributed to identifying low-risk PE patients who can benefit from outpatient management or from early discharge from the emergency department with DOAC treatment. There is evidence to support the use of DOACs in intermediate-risk PE patients as well as in high-risk patients receiving thrombolytic treatment. The use of DOACs has also been proven to be safe and effective in special populations of PE patients, such as patients with renal impairment, liver impairment, and cancer.

The Current Evidence of Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams and Their Role in Future

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a critical medical condition requiring prompt and accurate management. The introduction and growing significance of pulmonary embolism response teams (PERT), also termed EXPERT-PE teams, signify a paradigm shift toward a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach in managing this complex entity. As the understanding of acute PE continues to evolve, PERTs stand as a linkage of optimized care, offering personalized and evidence-based management strategies for patients afflicted by this life-threatening condition. The evolving role of PERTs globally is evident in their increasing integration into the standard care pathways for acute PE. These teams have demonstrated benefits such as reducing time to diagnosis and treatment initiation, optimizing resource utilization, and improving patient outcomes.

Meta-analysis of new intervention measures for preventing side effects of artificial joint replacement

BACKGROUND

Intertrochanteric fracture of the femur occurs mostly among older people, and seriously affects daily life and quality of life. At present, physical intervention, drug treatment, routine intervention and rehabilitation training are widely used for prevention of side effects, but it is still inconclusive which intervention has the best effect.

AIM

To compare the effects of new intervention measures for preventing side effects of artificial joint replacement.

METHODS

We searched the Chinese and English literatures for comparative studies on the prevention of side effects of new interventions for artificial joint replacement from July 2013 to June 2023 in China HowNet, PubMed, Wanfang, Weipu and other databases. Study quality was evaluated by improved Jadad scoring standard, and the effects of different interventions on preventing different complications were analyzed by meta-analysis of evidence-based medicine with Review Manager 5.0 software.

RESULTS

Ten articles, including 869 cases, were finally included. The preventive effects of different interventions on the side effects of artificial joint replacement were studied, and valid data were extracted. There were two articles on the preventive effects of drug intervention, four on comparison of the preventive effects of combined and single interventions, and three on the preventive effects of physical intervention, rehabilitation training and routine intervention. Meta-analysis showed that the preventive effect of rivaroxaban was significantly better than low molecular weight heparin calcium [mean difference (MD) = -0.16, 95%CI: -0.28 to -0.04, P < 0.05]. The effect of combined intervention was significantly better than that of single intervention (MD = -0.08, 95%CI: -0.16 to -0.01, P < 0.001). Physical intervention was significantly better than routine intervention and rehabilitation training (MD = 0.26, 95%CI: 0.16-0.36, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Rivaroxaban combined with rehabilitation training is preferred for preventing deep vein thrombosis after artificial joint replacement. In the prevention of pulmonary embolism, rivaroxaban drug intervention is given priority. The effect of combined intervention is better than that of single intervention.

Transition of management strategies and long-term outcomes in cancer-associated venous thromboembolism from the warfarin era to the direct oral anticoagulant era

BACKGROUND

There have been still limited data on the transition of management strategies and clinical outcomes after introduction of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) for cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the real-world clinical practice.

METHODS

Using the 2 series of multicenter COMMAND VTE registries in Japan enrolling consecutive patients with acute symptomatic VTE, we compared 695 patients with cancer-associated VTE in the Registry-1 of the warfarin era and 1507 patients in the Registry-2 of the DOAC era.

RESULTS

Regarding oral anticoagulation therapy, 576 patients (82.9 %) in the Registry-1 received warfarin, whereas 1119 patients (79.6 %) in the Registry-2 received DOACs. The cumulative 3-year incidence of discontinuation of anticoagulation was not significantly different between the 2 registries (56.7 % vs. 62.7 %, P = 0.11). The cumulative 5-year incidence of recurrent VTE was significantly lower in the Registry-2 than in the Registry-1 (17.7 % vs. 10.1 %, P < 0.001). The cumulative 5-year incidence of major bleeding was significantly lower in the Registry-2 than in the Registry-1 (26.6 % vs. 20.4 %, P = 0.045). The proportion of gastrointestinal bleeding numerically increased from the Registry-1 to the Registry-2 (46.7 % and 49.5 %), whereas that of intracranial bleeding numerically decreased from the Registry-1 to the Registry-2 (17.1 % and 14.1 %).

CONCLUSIONS

In the current historical comparison of cancer-associated VTE between the 2 large real-world registries, there was a striking change in the treatment strategies with decreased risks of recurrent VTE and major bleeding in the DOAC era compared with those in the warfarin era, while there seemed to be unmet needs of DOAC-related gastrointestinal bleeding.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm UNIQUE IDENTIFIER: UMIN000044816.

[Translation into French and republication of: "Home treatment for patients with cancer-associated venous thromboembolism"]

Patients hospitalised with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE), and notably patients with pulmonary embolism, often remain in hospital for extended periods due to the perceived risk of complications. However, several studies have shown that home treatment of selected patients is feasible and safe, with a low incidence of adverse events. This may offer clear benefits for patients' quality of life, hospital planning and cost to the health service. Nonetheless, there is a need for a VTE risk-stratification tool specifically addressing prognosis in patients with cancer. This may aid in the selection of low-risk patients with cancer and VTE who are suitable for outpatient treatment. Although several prognostic scores have been proposed, we suggest using a pragmatic clinical decision-making tool such as the Hestia criteria for selecting patients for home care in everyday clinical practice. Once patients have been discharged, it is mandatory to monitor patients regularly (we suggest after 3 days, 10 days, 1 month and 3 months, or more frequently if needed) with the involvement of a multidisciplinary team, so that appropriate and timely remedial action can be taken in case of warning signs of complications. If patients are selected carefully and monitored effectively, many patients who experience acute VTE can be cared for safely at home.

Home Treatment for Active Cancer Patients With Low-Risk Pulmonary Embolism - A Predetermined Companion Report From the ONCO PE Trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with appropriately selected low-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) can be treated at home, although it has been controversial whether applies to patients with cancer, who are considered not to be at low risk.Methods and Results: The current predetermined companion report from the ONCO PE trial evaluated the 3-month clinical outcomes of patients with home treatment and those with in-hospital treatment. The ONCO PE trial was a multicenter, randomized clinical trial among 32 institutions in Japan investigating the optimal duration of rivaroxaban treatment in cancer-associated PE patients with a score of 1 using the simplified version of the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI). Among 178 study patients, there were 66 (37%) in the home treatment group and 112 (63%) in the in-hospital treatment group. The primary endpoint of a composite of PE-related death, recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) and major bleeding occurred in 3 patients (4.6% [0.0-9.6%]) in the home treatment group and in 2 patients (1.8% [0.0-4.3%]) in the in-hospital treatment group. In the home treatment group, there were no cases of PE-related death or recurrent VTE, but major bleeding occurred in 3 patients (4.6% [0.0-9.6%]), and 2 patients (3.0% [0.0-7.2%]) required hospitalization due to bleeding events.

CONCLUSIONS

Active cancer patients with PE of sPESI score=1 could be potential candidates for home treatment.

Prognostic significance of quantitative electrocardiographic parameters in patients with non-high-risk pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND

Electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities indicating right ventricular strain have been reported to have prognostic value in severe cases of acute pulmonary embolism (PE). We aimed to analyze the prognostic significance of other quantitative ECG parameters in non-high-risk acute PE.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with non-high-risk acute PE were prospectively enrolled. The following baseline ECG parameters were collected: rhythm, heart rate, QRS axis, right bundle branch block (RBBB) pattern, S1Q3T3 pattern, T-wave inversion, ST-segment elevation, Qr in lead V1, PR Interval, QRS complex duration, QT interval, P-wave amplitude and duration, R- and S-wave amplitudes. The primary endpoint was early discharge within three days. Associations between ECG parameters and early discharge were analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall, 383 patients were enrolled (median age: 67 years, 57% female): 277 (72.3%) with low-risk and 106 (27.7%) with intermediate-risk. The two groups of patients differed in several ECG signs of right ventricular strain and many other quantitative parameters like R- and S-wave amplitudes. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the S-wave depth in lead V5 (S-V5) was the only independent prognostic factor for early discharge (odds ratio = 0.137, 95% confidence interval = 0.031-0.613, p = 0.009). The optimum cutoff value of S-V5 for predicting early discharge derived from the receiver operative characteristic curve was 0.15 mv (c-statistic = 0.66, p =0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Several ECG signs of right ventricular strain and many other quantitative parameters were associated with disease severity in non-high-risk acute PE. An S-V5 lesser than 0.15 mv was predictive for early discharge in these patients.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Measures for the Treatment of Adults with Isolated Calf Muscular Vein Thrombosis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Isolated calf muscular vein thrombosis (ICMVT) can result in pulmonary embolism, but the treatment of ICMVT remains controversial. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the optimal treatment for the ICMVT by comparing the efficacy and safety of different treatments.

METHODS

A network meta-analysis was conducted to search for studies published from database inception to April 30, 2022, that compared the outcomes of 2 or more treatments for ICMVT. The primary outcomes were efficacy (resolution rate) and safety (adverse reactions). Data were extracted following predefined hierarchy and the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. We estimated summary odds ratios with 95% credibility intervals using Bayesian network meta-analysis with random effects.

RESULTS

A total of 16 studies were enrolled in the study. In terms of efficacy and safety, urokinase thrombolysis combined with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was most effective but had the lowest safety, while physical therapy was safest but had the lowest efficacy. More important, direct oral factor Xa inhibitors were most likely to be second most effective and safe compared with other treatments. For the duration of treatment, anticoagulant therapy for at least 3 months could effectively increase the resolution rate of ICMVT.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering both efficacy and safety, taking direct oral factor Xa inhibitors for at least 3 months was the optimal treatment compared to LMWH, urokinase thrombolysis combined LMWH, physical therapy and warfarin for patients with ICMVT.

Home treatment for patients with cancer-associated venous thromboembolism

Patients hospitalised with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE), and notably patients with pulmonary embolism, often remain in hospital for extended periods due to the perceived risk of complications. However, several studies have shown that home treatment of selected patients is feasible and safe, with a low incidence of adverse events. This may offer clear benefits for patients' quality of life, hospital planning and cost to the health service. Nonetheless, there is a need for a VTE risk-stratification tool specifically addressing prognosis in patients with cancer. This may aid in the selection of low-risk patients with cancer and VTE who are suitable for outpatient treatment. Although several prognostic scores have been proposed, we suggest using a pragmatic clinical decision-making tool such as the Hestia criteria for selecting patients for home care in everyday clinical practice. Once patients have been discharged, it is mandatory to monitor patients regularly (we suggest after 3 days, 10 days, 1 month and 3 months, or more frequently if needed) with the involvement of a multidisciplinary team, so that appropriate and timely remedial action can be taken in case of warning signs of complications. If patients are selected carefully and monitored effectively, many patients who experience acute VTE can be cared for safely at home.

Early discharge and home treatment of patients with acute pulmonary embolism in the tertiary care setting

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially life-threatening disease. Current guidelines suggest risk-adapted management. Hospitalization is required for intermediate- and high-risk patients. Early discharge and home treatment are considered safe in the majority of low-risk patients. In this study, we describe characteristics, discharge, and outcome of outpatients diagnosed with acute PE at a tertiary care center. All outpatients undergoing computed tomography pulmonary angiography or ventilation/perfusion lung scan between 01.01.2016 and 31.12.2019 at the University Hospital Vienna, Austria, were screened for a PE diagnosis. Electronic patient charts were used to extract characteristics, clinical course, and outcomes. Within the 4-year period, 709 outpatients (median age: 62 years, 50% women) were diagnosed with PE. Thirty-three (5%) patients were classified as high-risk, 159 (22%) as intermediate-high, 332 (47%) as intermediate-low, and 185 (26%) as low-risk PE according to the European Society of Cardiology risk stratification. In total, 156 (22%) patients (47% with low-risk and 20% with intermediate-low-risk PE) were discharged as outpatients and received home treatment. Rates for home treatment increased 2.4-fold during the study period. Thirty-day mortality in the entire population was 4.9%. All low-risk patients and all but one patient with home treatment survived the first 30 days. Home treatment significantly increased over time and seems to be safe in routine clinical practice. Notably, one in five intermediate-low-risk patients was discharged immediately, suggesting that a subpopulation of intermediate-low-risk patients may also be eligible for home treatment.

The Predictive Value of the MELD Scores for In-Hospital Adverse Events in Normotensive Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism

The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) and the model for end-stage liver disease excluding international normalized ratio (INR) (MELD-XI) scores, which reflect dysfunction of liver and kidneys, have been reported to be related to the prognosis of patients with right-sided "backward" failure. However, the relationship between the MELD/MELD-XI score and the in-hospital adverse events in pulmonary embolism (PE) patients was unknown. Normotensive PE patients were retrospectively enrolled at China-Japan friendship hospital from January 2017 to February 2020. The primary outcome was defined as death and clinical deterioration during hospitalization. Multivariate logistic analysis was used to explore the association between the MELD and MELD-XI scores for in-hospital adverse events. We also compared the accuracy of the MELD, MELD-XI, and the pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI) score using the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve and corresponding areas under the curve (AUC). A total of 222 PE patients were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis showed that the MELD score was independently associated with in-hospital adverse events (odds ratio = 1.115, 95% confidential interval = 1.022-1.217, P = .014). The MELD score has an AUC of 0.731 and was better than PESI (AUC of 0.629) in predicting in-hospital adverse events. Among PE patients with normal blood pressure on admission, the MELD score was associated with increased in-hospital adverse events.

Disposition of emergency department patients with acute pulmonary embolism after ambulance arrival

Objective

Most outpatients with pulmonary embolism (PE) are diagnosed in the emergency department (ED). The relationship between means of arrival, site of diagnosis, and disposition in ED patients with PE is unknown. We compared discharge home between patients arriving by emergency medical services (EMS) and those arriving by other means. Within the EMS cohort, we compared those with a recent PE diagnosis in the outpatient clinic setting to those who were diagnosed with PE in the ED.

Methods

This study was a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort that included all adult, non-pregnant ED patients treated for acute PE across 21 community EDs from January 2013 to April 2015. The primary outcome was discharge home within 24 h of ED registration; we also examined mortality. We described associations with patient arrival method and other patient characteristics.

Results

Among 2996 ED patient encounters with acute PE, 644 (21.5%) arrived by EMS. This group had a lower frequency of discharge (9.2% vs 26.4%) and higher 30-day all-cause mortality (8.7% vs 3.1%) than their counterparts (p < 0.001 for both). These associations remained after adjusting for confounding variables. Among the EMS cohort, 14 patients (2.2%) arrived with a PE diagnosis recently made in the outpatient setting.

Conclusion

Patients with PE who arrived at the ED by EMS were less likely to be discharged home within 24 h and more likely to die within 30 days than those who arrived by other means. Less than 3% of the EMS group had been diagnosed with PE before ED arrival.

Application of the RIETE score to identify low-risk patients with pulmonary embolism: From the COMMAND VTE Registry

BACKGROUND

The RIETE score could be specifically useful for identification of low-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) patients for home treatment. However, the external validation of the RIETE score has been limited.

METHODS

The COMMAND VTE Registry is a multicenter registry enrolling consecutive patients with acute symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE). The current study population consisted of 1479 patients with acute PE, who were divided into 2 groups; RIETE scores of 0 (N = 260) and ≥ 1 (N = 1219).

RESULTS

The cumulative 10-day and 30-day incidences of a composite endpoint of all-cause death, recurrent PE, or major bleeding were lower in patients with the RIETE score of 0 than in those with the RIETE score of ≥1 (10-day: 0.4 % vs. 6.7 %, P < 0.001, and 30-day: 0.4 % vs. 10.0 %, P < 0.001). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) in the RIETE score for the 10-day composite endpoint showed numerically better predictive ability than that in the sPESI score (0.77 vs. 0.73, P = 0.07), and the AUC in the RIETE score for the 30-day composite endpoint showed significantly better predictive ability than that in the sPESI score (0.77 vs. 0.71, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

The RIETE score was well validated in the current large real-world registry. The RIETE score of 0 could identify patients with reasonably low risks of the 10-day and 30-day composite endpoint of all-cause death, recurrent PE, or major bleeding.

Home treatment versus early discharge for the outpatient management of acute pulmonary embolism: A non-interventional, post-hoc cohort analysis

INTRODUCTION

We prospectively investigated whether home treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE), is as effective and safe as the recommended early discharge management in terms of outcomes at 3 months.

METHODS

We performed a post hoc analysis of prospectively and consecutively recorded data in acute PE patients from a tertiary care facility between January 2012 and November 2021. Home treatment was defined as discharge to home directly from the emergency department (ED) after <24 h stay. Early discharge was defined as in-hospital stay of ≥24 h and ≤48 h. Primary efficacy and safety outcomes were a composite of PE-related death or recurrent venous thrombo-embolism, and major bleeding, respectively. Outcomes between groups were compared using penalized multivariable models.

RESULTS

In total, 181 patients (30.6 %) were included in the home treatment group and 463 (69.4 %) patients in the early discharge group. Median duration of ED stay was 8.1 h (IQR, 3.6-10.2 h) in the home treatment group, and median length of hospital stay was 36.4 h (IQR, 28.7-40.2) in the early discharge group. The adjusted rate of the primary efficacy outcome was 1.90 % (95 % CI, 0.16-15.2) vs 2.05 % (95 % CI, 0.24-10.1) for home treatment vs early discharge (hazard ratio (HR) 0.86 (95 % CI, 0.27-2.74). The adjusted rates of the primary safety outcome did not differ between groups at 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In a non-randomized cohort of selected acute PE patients, home treatment provided comparable rates of adverse VTE and bleeding events to the recommended early discharge management, and appears to have similar clinical outcomes at 3 months.

[Pulmonary embolism]

Pulmonary embolism is a frequent cardiovascular disease which in recent years has shown a reduction in the mortality but an increase in the incidence. Due to the optimization of clinical probability scores and the interpretation of the D‑dimer test, unnecessary examinations using computed tomography with respect to the exclusion of an acute pulmonary embolism can be avoided, also in pregnant women. The evaluation of the right ventricle contributes to a risk-adapted treatment. Treatment consists of anticoagulation, alone or in combination with reperfusion treatment, such as systemic thrombolysis and also catheter-assisted or surgical treatment. In addition to acute treatment of pulmonary embolisms, an adequate aftercare is important, particularly for the early detection of long-term sequelae. This review article summarizes the current recommendations of international guidelines for patients with pulmonary embolism, accompanied by clinical case examples and a critical discussion.

Prevention, Diagnostics and Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis. Russian Experts Consensus

The guidelines are developed in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation by the all-Russian public organization «Association of Phlebologists of Russia» with participation of the Association of Cardiovascular Surgeons of Russia, the Russian Society of Surgeons, the Russian Society of Angiologists and Vascular Surgeons, the Association of Traumatologists and Orthopedists of Russia, the Association of Oncologists of Russia, the Russian Society of Clinical Oncology, Russian Society of Oncohematologists, Russian Society of Cardiology, Russian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Progress in the treatment of acute pulmonary embolism and chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension/disease

The combination of an initial clinical approach aimed at evaluating the early risk of mortality with subsequent diagnostic and therapeutic approaches articulated on the overall patient's profile is recommended in acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The presence of pulmonary hypertension associated with the persistence of chronic vascular obstructions in the pulmonary arteries after one or more acute thrombo-embolic events identifies a condition defined as chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The evolution of technology and knowledge in the field of imaging has allowed us to qualify the computed tomography angiography of the pulmonary arteries as the gold standard for the diagnostic confirmation of both acute PE and CTEPH. In both these conditions, the first therapeutic step is the immediate initiation of anticoagulant therapy. In acute high-risk PE, in addition to anticoagulant therapy, thrombolytic therapy is recommended; in the event of contraindications to thrombolysis, surgical embolectomy or percutaneous catheter-directed treatment represents viable treatment options. In CTEPH, the combination of data collected from cardiac catheterization, computed tomography angiography, and conventional angiography of pulmonary arteries allows a team of experts to identify candidates for pulmonary endarterectomy surgery. Inoperable patients should be considered for percutaneous balloon angioplasty of the pulmonary arteries which can improve patients' symptoms, quality of life, and prognosis.

Contemporary Management and Clinical Course of Acute Pulmonary Embolism: The COPE Study

BACKGROUND

 New diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment strategies became recently available for patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) leading to changes in clinical practice and potentially influencing short-term patients' outcomes.

RESEARCH QUESTION

 The COntemporary management of PE (COPE) study is aimed at assessing the contemporary clinical management and outcomes in patients with acute symptomatic PE.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

 Prospective, noninterventional, multicenter study. The co-primary study outcomes, in-hospital and 30-day death, were reported overall and by risk categories according to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and American Heart Association guidelines.

RESULTS

 Among 5,213 study patients, PE was confirmed by computed tomography in 96.3%. In-hospital, 289 patients underwent reperfusion (5.5%), 92.1% received parenteral anticoagulants; at discharge, 75.6% received direct oral anticoagulants and 6.7% vitamin K antagonists. In-hospital and 30-day mortalities were 3.4 and 4.8%, respectively. In-hospital death occurred in 20.3% high-risk patients (n = 177), in 4.0% intermediate-risk patients (n = 3,281), and in 0.5% low-risk patients (n = 1,702) according to ESC guidelines. Further stratification in intermediate-high and intermediate-low risk patients did not reach statistical significance, but intermediate-risk patients with sPESI > 0 alone had lower mortality compared to those with one or both among right ventricular dilation at echocardiography or increased troponin. Death or clinical deterioration occurred in 1.5, 5.0, and 9.4% of patients at low, intermediate-low, and intermediate-high risk for death according to ESC guidelines.

CONCLUSION

 For the majority of patients with PE, contemporary initial management includes risk stratification and treatment with direct oral anticoagulants. In-hospital mortality remains high in intermediate and high-risk patients calling for and informing research focused on its reduction.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03631810.

Plasma Troponins Identify Patients with Very Low-Risk Acute Pulmonary Embolism

INTRODUCTION

Although in the non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOAC) era majority of low-risk acute pulmonary embolism (APE) patients can be treated at home, identifying those at very low risk of clinical deterioration may be challenging. We aimed to propose the risk stratification algorithm in sPESI 0 point APE patients, allowing them to select candidates for safe outpatient treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Post hoc analysis of a prospective study of 1151 normotensive patients with at least segmental APE. In the final analysis, we included 409 sPESI 0 point patients. Cardiac troponin assessment and echocardiographic examination were performed immediately after admission. Right ventricular dysfunction was defined as the right ventricle/left ventricle ratio (RV/LV) > 1.0. The clinical endpoint (CE) included APE-related mortality and/or rescue thrombolysis and/or immediate surgical embolectomy in patients with clinical deterioration.

RESULTS

CE occurred in four patients who had higher serum troponin levels than subjects with a favorable clinical course (troponin/ULN: 7.8 (6.4-9.4) vs. 0.2 (0-1.36) p = 0.000). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the area under the curve for troponin in the prediction of CE was 0.908 (95% CI 0.831-0.984; p < 0.001). We defined the cut-off value of troponin at >1.7 ULN with 100% PPV for CE. In univariate and multivariate analysis, elevated serum troponin level was associated with an increased risk of CE, whereas RV/LV > 1.0 was not.

CONCLUSIONS

Solely clinical risk assessment in APE is insufficient, and patients with sPESI 0 points require further assessment based on myocardial damage biomarkers. Patients with troponin levels not exceeding 1.7 ULN constitute the group of "very low risk" with a good prognosis.

Risk stratification and risk-adapted management of acute pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular death in Europe. Rapid diagnosis and treatment initiation are essential, especially in hemodynamically unstable patients. For normotensive patients, the diagnostic workflow is based on the clinical probability of pulmonary embolism. Due to numerous differential diagnoses and a highly variable clinical presentation, diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism still remains a clinical challenge. Computed tomography angiography is the common gold standard to confirm pulmonary embolism and bedside echocardiography adds a major impact in clinical decision making. The European Society of Cardiology guidelines serve as a framework for a standardized diagnostic approach and risk prediction. Based on vital signs, clinical scores, biomarkers and imaging results, four risk categories can be defined and treatment is accordingly. To optimize the individual management of critical patients, multidisciplinary pulmonary embolism response teams are increasingly designated in specialized centers. This article provides an overview of the current risk-adapted management of patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

From acute pulmonary embolism to post-pulmonary embolism sequelae

Aim of this narrative review is to summarize the functional and hemodynamic implications of acute PE and PE sequelae, namely the post-PE syndrome. Briefly, we will first describe the epidemiology, diagnostic procedures, and therapeutic approaches of acute PE. Then, we will provide a definition of the post-PE syndrome and present the so far accumulated evidence regarding its epidemiology and the implications that arise for further diagnosis and treatment. Lastly, we will explore the most devastating long-term complication of PE, namely chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), and recent advances in its management.

[Pulmonary embolism]

Pulmonary embolism is a frequent cardiovascular disease which in recent years has shown a reduction in the mortality but an increase in the incidence. Due to the optimization of clinical probability scores and the interpretation of the D‑dimer test, unnecessary examinations using computed tomography with respect to the exclusion of an acute pulmonary embolism can be avoided, also in pregnant women. The evaluation of the right ventricle contributes to a risk-adapted treatment. Treatment consists of anticoagulation, alone or in combination with reperfusion treatment, such as systemic thrombolysis and also catheter-assisted or surgical treatment. In addition to acute treatment of pulmonary embolisms, an adequate aftercare is important, particularly for the early detection of long-term sequelae. This review article summarizes the current recommendations of international guidelines for patients with pulmonary embolism, accompanied by clinical case examples and a critical discussion.

Risk of Bleeding Associated With Outpatient Use of Rivaroxaban in VTE Management at a National Referral Hospital in Western Kenya

There is limited data on the bleeding safety profile of direct oral anticoagulants, such as rivaroxaban, in low- and middle-income country settings like Kenya. In this prospective observational study, patients newly started on rivaroxaban or switching to rivaroxaban from warfarin for the management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) within the national referral hospital in western Kenya were assessed to determine the frequency of bleeding during treatment. Bleeding events were assessed at the 1- and 3-month visits, as well as at the end of follow-up. The International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) and the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) criteria were used to categorize the bleeding events, and descriptive statistics were used to summarize categorical variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression model was used to calculate unadjusted and adjusted associations between patient characteristics and bleeding. The frequency of any type of bleeding was 14.4% (95% CI: 9.3%-20.8%) for an incidence rate of 30.9 bleeding events (95% CI: 20.1-45.6) per 100 patient-years of follow-up. The frequency of major bleeding was 1.9% while that of clinically relevant non-major bleeding was 13.8%. In the multivariate logistic regression model, being a beneficiary of the national insurance plan was associated with a lower risk of bleeding, while being unemployed was associated with a higher bleeding risk. The use of rivaroxaban in the management of VTE was associated with a higher frequency of bleeding. These findings warrant confirmation in larger and more targeted investigations in a similar population.

Clot-regression effects of rivaroxaban in venous thromboembolism treatment in cancer patients-a prospective interventional study

Rivaroxaban, a direct oral anticoagulant, is effective against venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence without increasing the risk of major bleeding in patients with cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (CAT). However, its clot regression effects are poorly understood. This single-arm, prospective interventional study aimed to investigate the clot regression effects of rivaroxaban in 40 CAT patients, through a contrast-enhanced computed tomography at baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months of rivaroxaban treatment. The primary endpoint was the clot-regression ratio calculated from the thrombus volumes at 3 weeks and 3 months. Compared with baseline, the total clot volume was significantly reduced at both 3 weeks and 3 months after initiation (p < 0.01). The clot-regression rates were statistically significant with 83.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73.8-92.3%) at 3 weeks and 98.7% (95% CI, 97.1-100.2%) at 3 months, with complete resolution in 36.1% and 80.8% of patients at 3 weeks and 3 months, respectively. One patient had recurrent VTE after dose reduction, and seven had non-fatal major bleeding. Therefore, rivaroxaban had a sufficient clot-regression effect against CAT with caution of bleeding complication.

[Update on Pulmonary Embolism: Guideline-Based Diagnosis and Therapy of an Exemplary Case]

Update on Pulmonary Embolism: Guideline-Based Diagnosis and Therapy of an Exemplary Case Abstract. In the evaluation of acute pulmonary embolism, a swift and focused diagnostic process is crucial and has an impact on prognosis. An initial clinical assessment is done in haemodynamically stable patients, followed by determination of D-dimer or immediate imaging by computer tomography if the clinical (pre-test) probability is high. After confirming the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, the most appropriate anticoagulant regiment should be selected and patients should be candidate for a structured follow-up plan. The initial anticoagulant therapy regime is determined by a number of factors, including haemodynamic stability (or potential need for reperfusion treatments), demographic characteristics and comorbidities. While anticoagulation is usually recommended for the first 3-6 months, re-evaluation of therapy after acute therapy is mandatory. In addition, the possibility of chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) or a post-PE syndrome should be considered if symptoms persist after 3-6 months.

[Home treatment of low-risk pulmonary embolism patients : Efficacy and safety of an outpatient program including the general practitioner]

AIM

Outpatient treatment (OT) of patients with low-risk pulmonary embolisms (PE) is recommended. A multidisciplinary OT program including the general practitioner (GP) has been implemented at Versailles hospital in 2019. The objectives of the study were to assess the feasibility, safety and acceptability of the program.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The feasibility of, and the inclusion criteria for OT were defined from a retrospective cohort study of PE patients carried out in 2018. In the prospective study, consecutive patients consulting in the emergency department between 2019 and 2021 with confirmed PE were eligible for OT if they had sPESI and HESTIA scores equal to 0, normal troponin and NT-pro-BNP levels, and no right ventricular dilation on imaging. PEs associated with COVID were excluded. The OT program included 4 appointments within 3 months, including 2 with the GP. Events (death, recurrence of PE or venous thromboembolism, bleeding, rehospitalisation) were collected at 3-month follow-up.

RESULTS

In the retrospective study, 19% of the 138 PE patients seen in the emergency department were eligible for OT. No complication occurred at Day 90. In the prospective study, 313 consecutive patients with confirmed PE in the emergency department were included, 66 (21%) were eligible for OT. Overall, 43 patients (14%) received OT (39 eligible) and 27 patients eligible for OT were hospitalised (92% because of pulmonary infarction). At 3-month follow-up, there were no death, no recurrence of thromboembolism, and one patient has been early hospitalised for COVID; 3 female patients treated with rivaroxaban had minor bleeding (heavy menstrual bleeding). The satisfaction rate of general practitioner was 95%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the feasibility and safety of our OT program for low-risk EP patients, centered on the general practitioner. It reduces the time spent in the emergency department, reduces hospitalisations and strengthens the city-hospital link for care.

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.

Sustainability of a Clinical Decision Support Intervention for Outpatient Care for Emergency Department Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism

IMPORTANCE

Physicians commonly hospitalize patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), despite eligibility for safe outpatient management. Risk stratification using electronic health record-embedded clinical decision support systems can aid physician site-of-care decision-making and increase safe outpatient management. The long-term sustainability of early improvements after the cessation of trial-based, champion-led promotion is uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the sustainability of recommended site-of-care decision-making support 4 years after initial physician champion-led interventions to increase outpatient management for patients with acute PE.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted in 21 US community hospitals in an integrated health system. Participants included adult patients presenting to the ED with acute PE. Study sites had participated in an original decision-support intervention trial 4 years prior to the current study period: 10 sites were intervention sites, 11 sites were controls. In that trial, decision support with champion promotion resulted in significantly higher outpatient management at intervention sites compared with controls. After trial completion, all study sites were given continued access to a modified decision-support tool without further champion-led outreach. Data were analyzed from January 2019 to February 2020.

EXPOSURES

ED treatment with a modified clinical decision support tool.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The main outcome was frequency of outpatient management, defined as discharge home directly from the ED, stratified by the PE Severity Index. The safety measure of outpatient care was 7-day PE-related hospitalization.

RESULTS

This study included 1039 patients, including 533 (51.3%) women, with a median (IQR) age of 65 (52-74) years. Nearly half (474 patients [45.6%]) were rated lower risk on the PE Severity Index. Overall, 278 patients (26.8%) were treated as outpatients, with only four 7-day PE-related hospitalizations (1.4%; 95% CI, 0.4%-3.6%). The practice gap in outpatient management created by the earlier trial persisted in the outpatient management for patients with lower risk: 109 of 236 patients (46.2%) at former intervention sites vs 81 of 238 patients (34.0%) at former control sites (difference, 12.2; [95% CI, 3.4-20.9] percentage points; P = .007), with wide interfacility variation (range, 7.1%-47.1%).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, a champion-led, decision-support intervention to increase outpatient management for patients presenting to the ED with acute pulmonary embolism was associated with sustained higher rates of outpatient management 4 years later. The application of our findings to improving sustainability of practice change for other clinical conditions warrants further study.

Risk Stratification in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Current Evidence and Perspectives

Risk stratification is one of the cornerstones of the management of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and determines the choice of both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The first step is the identification of patent circulatory failure, as it is associated with a high risk of immediate mortality and requires a rapid diagnosis and prompt reperfusion. The second step is the estimation of 30-day mortality based on clinical parameters (e.g., original and simplified version of the pulmonary embolism severity index): low-risk patients without right ventricular dysfunction are safely managed with ambulatory anticoagulation. The remaining group of hemodynamically stable patients, labeled intermediate-risk PE, requires hospital admission, even if most of them will heal without complications. In recent decades, efforts have been made to identify a subgroup of patients at an increased risk of adverse outcomes (intermediate-high-risk PE), who might benefit from a more aggressive approach, including reperfusion therapies and admission to a monitored unit. The cur-rent approach, combining markers of right ventricular dysfunction and myocardial injury, has an insufficient positive predictive value to guide primary thrombolysis. Sensitive markers of circulatory failure, such as plasma lactate, have shown interesting prognostic accuracy and may play a central role in the future. Furthermore, the improved security of reduced-dose thrombolysis may enlarge the indication of this treatment to selected intermediate–high-risk PE.

Contemporary clinical management of acute pulmonary embolism: the COPE study

BACKGROUND

New management, risk stratification and treatment strategies have become available over the last years for patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), potentially leading to changes in clinical practice and improvement of patients' outcome.

METHODS

The COntemporary management of Pulmonary Embolism (COPE) is a prospective, non-interventional, multicentre study in patients with acute PE evaluated at internal medicine, cardiology and emergency departments in Italy. The aim of the COPE study is to assess contemporary management strategies in patients with acute, symptomatic, objectively confirmed PE concerning diagnosis, risk stratification, hospitalization and treatment and to assess rates and predictors of in-hospital and 30-day mortality. The composite of death (either overall or PE-related) or clinical deterioration at 30 days from the diagnosis of PE, major bleeding occurring in hospital and up to 30 days from the diagnosis of PE and adherence to guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) are secondary study outcomes. Participation in controlled trials on the management of acute PE is the only exclusion criteria. Expecting a 10-15%, 3% and 0.5% incidence of death for patients with high, intermediate or low-risk PE, respectively, it is estimated that 400 patients with high, 2100 patients with intermediate and 2500 with low-risk PE should be included in the study. This will allow to have about 100 deaths in study patients and will empower assessment of independent predictors of death.

CONCLUSIONS

COPE will provide contemporary data on in-hospital and 30-day mortality of patients with documented PE as well as information on guidelines adherence and its impact on clinical outcomes.

TRAIL REGISTRATION

NCT number: NCT03631810.

[Diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism]

Die Lungenembolie (LE) stellt eine diagnostische und therapeutische Herausforderung dar. Etablierte diagnostische Algorithmen ermöglichen die Vermeidung von unnötiger Strahlenbelastung, sodass inzwischen standardisierte Algorithmen auch bei schwangeren Patientinnen mit Verdacht auf LE validiert werden konnten. In der Risikostratifizierung nimmt die Beurteilung des rechten Ventrikels zusätzlich zu klinischen Parametern eine entscheidende Rolle ein, insbesondere zur Entscheidung einer Frühentlassung und ambulanten Behandlung. Direkte orale Antikoagulanzien sind für die meisten Patienten die Therapie der Wahl, während bei manifester oder drohender Dekompensation eine Reperfusionsbehandlung nach Abstimmung im multidisziplinären LE-Team erfolgen soll. Hervorzuheben sind die Nachbeobachtung und Nachsorge von Patienten mit LE, um über die Verlängerung der Antikoagulation zu entscheiden und Spätfolgen wie die chronisch-thromboembolische pulmonale Hypertonie zu erkennen und zu behandeln.

[Pulmonary Embolism]

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening disease and the third most frequent cardiovascular cause of death after stroke and myocardial infarction. The annual incidence is increasing (in Germany from 85 cases per 100000 population in the year 2005 to 109 cases per 100000 population in the year 2015). The individual risk for PE-related complications and death increases with the number of comorbidities and severity of right ventricular dysfunction. Using clinical, laboratory and imaging parameters, patients with PE can be stratified to four risk classes (high, intermediate-high, intermediate-low and low risk). This risk stratification has concrete therapeutic consequences ranging from out-of-hospital treatment of low-risk patients to reperfusion treatment of (intermediate)-high-risk patients. For haemodynamically unstable patients, treatment decision should preferably be made in interdisciplinary "Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams" (PERT). Due to their comparable efficacy and preferable safety profile compared to vitamin-K antagonists (VKAs), non-vitamin K-dependent oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are increasingly considered the treatment of choice for initial and prolonged anticoagulation of patients with pulmonary embolism. Use of low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) is recommended for PE patients with cancer; however, recent studies indicate that treatment with factor Xa-inhibitors may be effective and safe (in patients without gastrointestinal cancer). Only prolonged anticoagulation (in reduced dosage) will ensure reduction of VTE recurrence and should thus be considered for all patients with unprovoked events.

Rivaroxaban in acute venous thromboembolism: UK prescribing experience

BACKGROUND

Rivaroxaban was reported as effective as traditional therapies for the acute treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) with fewer major bleeding complications in the seminal Einstein program and is now a recommended option for the treatment of VTE around the world.

OBJECTIVE

To report the safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban in daily care for the management of acute VTE in the United Kingdom.

PATIENTS/METHOD

The FIRST registry is a UK-only, multicenter, noninterventional, observational VTE study (NCT02248610). Consecutive patients diagnosed with acute VTE, managed with rivaroxaban, were recruited and followed for up to 5 years. The primary outcomes were treatment-emergent symptomatic objectively diagnosed recurrent VTE, major and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (CRNMB), and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 1262 participants were recruited between 2014 and 2018. Participants were heterogeneous, with age range 18 to 95 years, weight 35 to 234 kg, and maximum body mass index 64.4 kg/m2. The median duration of treatment exposure was 135 days (interquartile range [IQR], 84-307) and overall follow-up 497 days (IQR, 175-991). There were seven episodes of symptomatic VTE recurrence, 0.6%, (0.74/100 patient-years; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19-1.28). There were 79 of 1239 (6.4%), 8.66 of 100 patient-years (95% CI, 6.90-10.73) first episodes of major or CRNMB, which were most frequently reported by women aged <50 years as abnormal vaginal bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Rivaroxaban is an effective and safe single drug modality for the treatment of VTE in daily practice in the United Kingdom. Data to determine the optimal anticoagulation therapy for women of childbearing age are needed.

Triaging acute pulmonary embolism for home treatment by Hestia or simplified PESI criteria: the HOME-PE randomized trial

AIMS

The aim of this study is to compare the Hestia rule vs. the simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI) for triaging patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) for home treatment.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Normotensive patients with PE of 26 hospitals from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland were randomized to either triaging with Hestia or sPESI. They were designated for home treatment if the triaging tool was negative and if the physician-in-charge, taking into account the patient's opinion, did not consider that hospitalization was required. The main outcomes were the 30-day composite of recurrent venous thrombo-embolism, major bleeding or all-cause death (non-inferiority analysis with 2.5% absolute risk difference as margin), and the rate of patients discharged home within 24 h after randomization (NCT02811237). From January 2017 through July 2019, 1975 patients were included. In the per-protocol population, the primary outcome occurred in 3.82% (34/891) in the Hestia arm and 3.57% (32/896) in the sPESI arm (P = 0.004 for non-inferiority). In the intention-to-treat population, 38.4% of the Hestia patients (378/984) were treated at home vs. 36.6% (361/986) of the sPESI patients (P = 0.41 for superiority), with a 30-day composite outcome rate of 1.33% (5/375) and 1.11% (4/359), respectively. No recurrent or fatal PE occurred in either home treatment arm.

CONCLUSIONS

For triaging PE patients, the strategy based on the Hestia rule and the strategy based on sPESI had similar safety and effectiveness. With either tool complemented by the overruling of the physician-in-charge, more than a third of patients were treated at home with a low incidence of complications.

Rivaroxaban: Expanded Role in Cardiovascular Disease Management-A Literature Review

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are widely used for the prevention of stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, treatment of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and as prophylaxis after hip and knee surgery after approval by the Food and Drug Administration. In the last decade, DOACs were studied for various indications; this review is focused on rivaroxaban, a factor Xa inhibitor, which is used in an expanded evidence-based fashion for coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, malignancy, and prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis in acute medical illnesses.

Coagulopathies in novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic: Emerging evidence for hematologists

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which is also known as acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) is a transmissible disease, has phenotypes varying from asymptomatic to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and ultimately death in certain cases. Coagulation disorders are being frequently reported amongst these patients and the pathogenesis is still not completely understood. Proposed mechanisms for these coagulopathies comprise a hypercoagulable state with micro- and/or macro-thrombosis in the vessels. A number of changes have been reported or proposed in circulating prothrombotic factors in COVID-19 patients and includes elevation in both factor VIII and fibrinogen, circulating prothrombotic microparticles and hyperviscosity. The COVID-19 patients are showing varied coagulopathies and are at high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) which demands an early intervention. This paper reviews the evolving data regarding the evaluation and managing of coagulopathies in patients with COVID-19.