Massive Pulmonary Embolism Thrombolysis: Early Clinical Markers of Treatment Efficacy

Abstract

The authors seek to evaluate hemodynamic parameters as potential clinical markers of real-time clinical improvement among patients with massive pulmonary embolism (PE) in correlation with post-thrombolytic pulmonary arterial pressure improvement and overall clinical outcome. Thirteen patients with submassive or massive PE were admitted to the interventional radiology service and treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis. Among the four patients who qualified as massive PE, systolic blood pressure (BP) and vasopressor dependence suggested meaningful trends toward clinical improvement, after only 26.4% of treatment course/dose. Hemodynamic parameters such as systolic BP and inotropic vasopressor dependence may be considered in future treatment protocols as early indicators of treatment response.

Keywords

pulmonary embolism - thrombolysis - pulmonary arterial pressure

• References

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