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Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a long-term sequel to pulmonary embolism (PE) whose incidence varies according to different published studies. We have carried out this study to determine its incidence within 2 years after index pulmonary embolism and to study limitations to an early diagnosis. OSIRIS is a multicentre, longitudinal cohort study. Patients were followed for 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after pulmonary embolism using a structured three-step algorithm. A physician-centered questionnaire at least one positive response in a screening proceeded to the second step, transthoracic echocardiography. The third step consisted of ventilation/perfusion lung scintigraphy and right heart catheterisation. A transthoracic echocardiography was performed in patients without positive response in the screening questionnaire after 2 years. CTEPH diagnosis required haemodynamic confirmation by right heart catheterisation and mismatched perfusion defects on lung scintigraphy. A total of 1191 patients were enrolled in 18 Spanish hospitals. Cumulative CTEPH incidence after 2-years PE was: 2.49 % (95 % CI: 1.68–3.56) and the incidence rate of CTEPH was 1.1 cases per 1000 person-months (95 % CI: 0.725; 1.60). The CTEPH algorithm presented a lack of adherence of 29 %; patient and physician preferences posed barriers to the triage algorithm The screening questionnaire, in patients who completed the follow-up, shows a specificity of 91.3 % (89.0–93.2 %) and negative predictive value of 99.4 % (98.4–99.8 %).. OSIRIS provides practiced clinical based data on the chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension incidence and identified barriers to the implementation of a 3-step triage algorithm for its detection. clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03134898. [Display omitted] • Two-year cumulative incidence of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) after pulmonary embolism (PE) was 2.49% (95% CI: 1.68-3.56) • A structured three-step diagnostic algorithm based on clinical assessment starting with a screening questionnaire showed limited feasibility, but a high negative predictive value • Observed barriers from patients and physicians to the implementation of a screening-based CTEPH diagnostic algorithm may support the planning of future studies and help to address training gaps [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In patients with intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism (PE), reversal of hypoxic vasoconstriction could constitute a target for treatment that protects the right ventricular (RV) function until endogenous fibrinolysis occurs. The Air versus oxygen for Intermediate-Risk pulmonary embolism (AIR) trial aims to assess the effect of oxygen therapy in patients with intermediate-risk acute PE who do not have hypoxemia at baseline.Methods and Analyses: AIR is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, proof-of-concept trial. A total of 90 patients hospitalized with intermediate-risk PE and an oxygen saturation of 90% or higher at baseline will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to receive supplemental oxygen or ambient air. The primary outcome is a RV/LV diameter ratio equal or less than 1.0 on echocardiography measured 48 hours after the start of treatment. Secondary efficacy outcomes are the numerical change in the ratio of the RV to the LV diameter measured 48 hours and 7 days after the start of treatment, with respect to the baseline ratio measured at randomization. Clinical adverse events will be also collected.Results: Enrollment started in July 2019 and is expected to proceed until 2022. Median age of the first 50 patients was 74 years (interquartile range, 61-81), and 50% were female.Conclusions: This multicenter trial will provide information about the value of supplemental oxygen in patients with intermediate-risk acute PE who do not have hypoxemia at baseline. The results will contribute to research that may assist patients with intermediate-risk PE in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimal approach to assess right ventricular (RV) function in patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) lacks clarity.Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the optimal approach to assess RV function in normotensive patients with acute symptomatic PE. Outcomes assessed through 30-days after the diagnosis of PE included all-cause mortality and complicated course.Results: Eight hundred forty-eight patients were enrolled. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and transthoracic echocardiography agreed on the presence or absence of RV overload in 449 (53%) patients. The combination of the simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI) and MDCT showed a negative predictive value for 30-day all-cause mortality of 100%. Of the 43% that had an sPESI of >0 points and MDCT RV enlargement, 41 (11.3%) experienced a complicated course that included 24 (6.6%) deaths. One hundred twenty-nine patients (15%) had an sPESI of >0 points, MDCT, and echocardiographic RV overload. Of these, 21 (16.3%) experienced a complicated course within the first 30days, and 10 (7.7%) of them died.Conclusions: Incorporation of echocardiographic RV overload to the sPESI and MDCT did not improve identification of low-risk PE patients, whereas it improved identification of those at intermediate-high risk for short-term complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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