Int J Angiol 2024; 33(02): 082-088
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1786878
Review Article

Clinical Presentation and Risk Stratification of Pulmonary Embolism

Abdul Qudoos Iqbal Mohammed
1   Department of Cardiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY
,
Lorin Berman
1   Department of Cardiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY
,
Mark Staroselsky
1   Department of Cardiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY
,
1   Department of Cardiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY
,
Ofek Hai
1   Department of Cardiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY
,
1   Department of Cardiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY
2   Department of Cardiology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY
,
Roman Zeltser
1   Department of Cardiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY
2   Department of Cardiology, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY
› Institutsangaben

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism (PE) presents with a spectrum of symptoms, ranging from asymptomatic cases to life-threatening events. Common symptoms include sudden dyspnea, chest pain, limb swelling, syncope, and hemoptysis. Clinical presentation varies based on thrombus burden, demographics, and time to presentation. Diagnostic evaluation involves assessing symptoms, physical examination findings, and utilizing laboratory tests, including D-dimer. Risk stratification using tools like Wells score, Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index, and Hestia criteria aids in determining the severity of PE. PE is categorized based on hemodynamic status, temporal patterns, and anatomic locations of emboli to guide in making treatment decisions. Risk stratification plays a crucial role in directing management strategies, with elderly and comorbid individuals at higher risk. Early identification and appropriate risk stratification are essential for effective management of PE. As we delve into this review article, we aim to enhance the knowledge base surrounding PE, contributing to improved patient outcomes through informed decision-making in clinical practice.



Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
13. Mai 2024

© 2024. International College of Angiology. This article is published by Thieme.

Thieme Medical Publishers
333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

 
  • References

  • 1 Sritharan SB, Raj CP, Ta V, Pandurangan N, Shinde V. “The Great Masquerader”: an interesting case series of pulmonary thromboembolism. Cureus 2022; 14 (12) e32330
  • 2 Bauersachs RM. Clinical presentation of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2012; 25 (03) 243-251
  • 3 Miniati M, Cenci C, Monti S, Poli D. Clinical presentation of acute pulmonary embolism: survey of 800 cases. PLoS One 2012; 7 (02) e30891
  • 4 Stein PD, Terrin ML, Hales CA. et al. Clinical, laboratory, roentgenographic, and electrocardiographic findings in patients with acute pulmonary embolism and no pre-existing cardiac or pulmonary disease. Chest 1991; 100 (03) 598-603
  • 5 Stein PD, Beemath A, Matta F. et al. Clinical characteristics of patients with acute pulmonary embolism: data from PIOPED II. Am J Med 2007; 120 (10) 871-879
  • 6 Vyas V, Goyal A. Acute Pulmonary Embolism. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; ; August 8, 2022
  • 7 Stein PD, Henry JW. Clinical characteristics of patients with acute pulmonary embolism stratified according to their presenting syndromes. Chest 1997; 112 (04) 974-979
  • 8 Calvo-Romero JM, Pérez-Miranda M, Bureo-Dacal P. Wheezing in patients with acute pulmonary embolism with and without previous cardiopulmonary disease. Eur J Emerg Med 2003; 10 (04) 288-289
  • 9 Barco S, Ende-Verhaar YM, Becattini C. et al. Differential impact of syncope on the prognosis of patients with acute pulmonary embolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Heart J 2018; 39 (47) 4186-4195
  • 10 Castelli R, Tarsia P, Tantardini C, Pantaleo G, Guariglia A, Porro F. Syncope in patients with pulmonary embolism: comparison between patients with syncope as the presenting symptom of pulmonary embolism and patients with pulmonary embolism without syncope. Vasc Med 2003; 8 (04) 257-261
  • 11 Coen M, Leuchter I, Sussetto M, Banfi C, Giraud R, Bendjelid K. Progressive dysphonia: Ortner syndrome. Am J Med 2018; 131 (12) e494-e495
  • 12 den Exter PL, van Es J, Erkens PM. et al. Impact of delay in clinical presentation on the diagnostic management and prognosis of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2013; 187 (12) 1369-1373
  • 13 Stein PD, Matta F, Musani MH, Diaczok B. Silent pulmonary embolism in patients with deep venous thrombosis: a systematic review. Am J Med 2010; 123 (05) 426-431
  • 14 Courtney DM, Sasser HC, Pincus CL, Kline JA. Pulseless electrical activity with witnessed arrest as a predictor of sudden death from massive pulmonary embolism in outpatients. Resuscitation 2001; 49 (03) 265-272
  • 15 Courtney DM, Kline JA. Prospective use of a clinical decision rule to identify pulmonary embolism as likely cause of outpatient cardiac arrest. Resuscitation 2005; 65 (01) 57-64
  • 16 Guidelines on diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism. Task Force on Pulmonary Embolism, European Society of Cardiology. Eur Heart J 2000; 21 (16) 1301-1336
  • 17 Kucher N, Goldhaber SZ. Management of massive pulmonary embolism. Circulation 2005; 112 (02) e28-e32
  • 18 Stein PD, Goldhaber SZ, Henry JW, Miller AC. Arterial blood gas analysis in the assessment of suspected acute pulmonary embolism. Chest 1996; 109 (01) 78-81
  • 19 Stein PD, Goldhaber SZ, Henry JW. Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient in the assessment of acute pulmonary embolism. Chest 1995; 107 (01) 139-143
  • 20 Meyer T, Binder L, Hruska N, Luthe H, Buchwald AB. Cardiac troponin I elevation in acute pulmonary embolism is associated with right ventricular dysfunction. J Am Coll Cardiol 2000; 36 (05) 1632-1636
  • 21 Giannitsis E, Müller-Bardorff M, Kurowski V. et al. Independent prognostic value of cardiac troponin T in patients with confirmed pulmonary embolism. Circulation 2000; 102 (02) 211-217
  • 22 Horlander KT, Leeper KV. Troponin levels as a guide to treatment of pulmonary embolism. Curr Opin Pulm Med 2003; 9 (05) 374-377
  • 23 Mikulewicz M, Lewczuk J. Importance of cardiac biomarkers in risk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism. Cardiol J 2008; 15 (01) 17-20
  • 24 Söhne M, Ten Wolde M, Boomsma F, Reitsma JB, Douketis JD, Büller HR. Brain natriuretic peptide in hemodynamically stable acute pulmonary embolism. J Thromb Haemost 2006; 4 (03) 552-556
  • 25 Kiely DG, Kennedy NS, Pirzada O, Batchelor SA, Struthers AD, Lipworth BJ. Elevated levels of natriuretic peptides in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism. Respir Med 2005; 99 (10) 1286-1291
  • 26 Bĕlohlávek J, Dytrych V, Linhart A. Pulmonary embolism, part I: epidemiology, risk factors and risk stratification, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism. Exp Clin Cardiol 2013; 18 (02) 129-138
  • 27 Jaff MR, McMurtry MS, Archer SL. et al; American Heart Association Council on Cardiopulmonary, Critical Care, Perioperative and Resuscitation, American Heart Association Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease, American Heart Association Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. Management of massive and submassive pulmonary embolism, iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis, and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. [published correction appears in Circulation. 2012 Aug 14;126(7):e104] [published correction appears in Circulation. 2012 Mar 20;125(11):e495] Circulation 2011; 123 (16) 1788-1830
  • 28 Sista AK, Kuo WT, Schiebler M, Madoff DC. Stratification, imaging, and management of acute massive and submassive pulmonary embolism. Radiology 2017; 284 (01) 5-24
  • 29 Worsley DF, Alavi A, Aronchick JM, Chen JT, Greenspan RH, Ravin CE. Chest radiographic findings in patients with acute pulmonary embolism: observations from the PIOPED Study. Radiology 1993; 189 (01) 133-136
  • 30 Wells PS, Ginsberg JS, Anderson DR. et al. Use of a clinical model for safe management of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. Ann Intern Med 1998; 129 (12) 997-1005
  • 31 Wells PS, Anderson DR, Rodger M. et al. Derivation of a simple clinical model to categorize patients probability of pulmonary embolism: increasing the models utility with the SimpliRED D-dimer. Thromb Haemost 2000; 83 (03) 416-420
  • 32 van Belle A, Büller HR, Huisman MV. et al; Christopher Study Investigators. Effectiveness of managing suspected pulmonary embolism using an algorithm combining clinical probability, D-dimer testing, and computed tomography. JAMA 2006; 295 (02) 172-179
  • 33 Wells PS, Anderson DR, Rodger M. et al. Excluding pulmonary embolism at the bedside without diagnostic imaging: management of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism presenting to the emergency department by using a simple clinical model and d-dimer. Ann Intern Med 2001; 135 (02) 98-107
  • 34 Kline JA, Courtney DM, Kabrhel C. et al. Prospective multicenter evaluation of the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria. J Thromb Haemost 2008; 6 (05) 772-780
  • 35 Singh B, Mommer SK, Erwin PJ, Mascarenhas SS, Parsaik AK. Pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria (PERC) in pulmonary embolism–revisited: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Emerg Med J 2013; 30 (09) 701-706
  • 36 Wicki J, Perneger TV, Junod AF, Bounameaux H, Perrier A. Assessing clinical probability of pulmonary embolism in the emergency ward: a simple score. Arch Intern Med 2001; 161 (01) 92-97
  • 37 Le Gal G, Righini M, Roy PM. et al. Prediction of pulmonary embolism in the emergency department: the revised Geneva score. Ann Intern Med 2006; 144 (03) 165-171
  • 38 Klok FA, Mos IC, Nijkeuter M. et al. Simplification of the revised Geneva score for assessing clinical probability of pulmonary embolism. Arch Intern Med 2008; 168 (19) 2131-2136
  • 39 Klok FA, Kruisman E, Spaan J. et al. Comparison of the revised Geneva score with the Wells rule for assessing clinical probability of pulmonary embolism. J Thromb Haemost 2008; 6 (01) 40-44
  • 40 Penaloza A, Melot C, Motte S. Comparison of the Wells score with the simplified revised Geneva score for assessing pretest probability of pulmonary embolism. Thromb Res 2011; 127 (02) 81-84
  • 41 Shen JH, Chen HL, Chen JR, Xing JL, Gu P, Zhu BF. Comparison of the Wells score with the revised Geneva score for assessing suspected pulmonary embolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2016; 41 (03) 482-492
  • 42 Di Marca S, Cilia C, Campagna A. et al. Comparison of Wells and revised Geneva rule to assess pretest probability of pulmonary embolism in high-risk hospitalized elderly adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2015; 63 (06) 1091-1097
  • 43 Konstantinides SV, Meyer G, Becattini C. et al; The Task Force for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism developed in collaboration with the European Respiratory Society (ERS): the Task Force for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Respir J 2019; 54 (03) 1901647
  • 44 Russell C, Keshavamurthy S, Saha S. Classification and stratification of pulmonary embolisms. Int J Angiol 2022; 31 (03) 162-165
  • 45 Giri J, Sista AK, Weinberg I. et al. Interventional therapies for acute pulmonary embolism: current status and principles for the development of novel evidence: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation 2019; 140 (20) e774-e801
  • 46 Becattini C, Agnelli G, Lankeit M. et al. Acute pulmonary embolism: mortality prediction by the 2014 European Society of Cardiology risk stratification model. Eur Respir J 2016; 48 (03) 780-786
  • 47 Goldhaber SZ, Visani L, De Rosa M. Acute pulmonary embolism: clinical outcomes in the International Cooperative Pulmonary Embolism Registry (ICOPER). Lancet 1999; 353 (9162) 1386-1389
  • 48 Meinel FG, Nance Jr JW, Schoepf UJ. et al. Predictive value of computed tomography in acute pulmonary embolism: systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med 2015; 128 (07) 747-59.e2
  • 49 Riedel M. Acute pulmonary embolism 1: pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and diagnosis. Heart 2001; 85 (02) 229-240
  • 50 Aujesky D, Obrosky DS, Stone RA. et al. Derivation and validation of a prognostic model for pulmonary embolism. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005; 172 (08) 1041-1046
  • 51 Donzé J, Le Gal G, Fine MJ. et al. Prospective validation of the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index. a clinical prognostic model for pulmonary embolism. Thromb Haemost 2008; 100 (05) 943-948
  • 52 Jiménez D, Aujesky D, Moores L. et al; RIETE Investigators. Simplification of the pulmonary embolism severity index for prognostication in patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism. Arch Intern Med 2010; 170 (15) 1383-1389
  • 53 Zondag W, Mos IC, Creemers-Schild D. et al; Hestia Study Investigators. Outpatient treatment in patients with acute pulmonary embolism: the Hestia Study. J Thromb Haemost 2011; 9 (08) 1500-1507
  • 54 Zondag W, Vingerhoets LM, Durian MF. et al; Hestia Study Investigators. Hestia criteria can safely select patients with pulmonary embolism for outpatient treatment irrespective of right ventricular function. J Thromb Haemost 2013; 11 (04) 686-692
  • 55 Roy PM, Penaloza A, Hugli O. et al; HOME-PE Study Group. Triaging acute pulmonary embolism for home treatment by Hestia or simplified PESI criteria: the HOME-PE randomized trial. Eur Heart J 2021; 42 (33) 3146-3157