Six months after first-time submassive pulmonary embolism, 41% of previously healthy patients had persistent cardiopulmonary problems including abnormal right ventricle or functional limitation.
Cohort (n=205)
A significant proportion (41%) of previously healthy patients experience persistent echocardiographic or functional cardiopulmonary problems 6 months after a first-time submassive pulmonary embolism.
AIMS: We hypothesized that first-time submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) can cause persistent, significant cardiopulmonary problems, including right ventricular damage and worsened quality of life in patients with no prior cardiopulmonary disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively enrolled 205 patients without end-stage comorbidity diagnosed with submassive PE (systolic blood pressure always > 100 mmHg). Using explicit criteria, we identified a subgroup of 127 'previously healthy' patients who were free of cardiopulmonary disease or other disabling process. All patients had transthoracic echocardiography (echo) at the time of diagnosis. Six months later, survivors returned for repeat echo, 6 min walk distance (6MWD), and a quality-of-life survey. We defined a significant cardiopulmonary problem as either: (i) abnormal RV on echo (RV dilation or RV hypokinesis); or (ii) NYHA score > II or a 6MWD II or a 6MWD < 330 m. Treatment studies of PE should include these persistent cardiopulmonary problems as study endpoints.
Stevinson et al. (Wed,) conducted a cohort in first-time submassive pulmonary embolism (n=205). First-time submassive pulmonary embolism was evaluated on Significant cardiopulmonary problem (abnormal RV on echo, NYHA score > II, or 6MWD < 330 m). Six months after first-time submassive pulmonary embolism, 41% of previously healthy patients had persistent cardiopulmonary problems including abnormal right ventricle or functional limitation.