Electrocardiography and prognosis of patients with acute pulmonary embolism

The role of electrocardiography (ECG) in prognosticating pulmonary embolism (PE) is increasingly recognized. ECG is quickly interpretable, noninvasive, inexpensive, and available in remote areas.We hypothesized that ECG can provide useful information about PE prognostication. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Web of Science, abstracts, conference proceedings, and reference lists through February 2017. Eligible studies used ECG to prognosticate for the main outcomes of death and clinical deterioration or escalation of therapy. Two authors independently selected studies; disagreement was resolved by consensus. Ad hoc piloted forms were used to extract data and assess risk of bias. We used a random-effects model to pool relevant data in meta-analysis with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs); all other data were synthesized qualitatively. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 value. We included 39 studies (9198 patients) in the systematic review. There was agreement in study selection (κ:0.91, 95% CI: 0.86-0.96). Most studies were retrospective; some did not appropriately control for confounders. ECG signs that were good predictors of a negative outcome included S1Q3T3 (OR:3.38, 95% CI: 2.46-4.66, P < 0.001), complete right bundle branch block (OR: 3.90, 95% CI: 2.46-6.20, P < 0.001), T-wave inversion (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.19-2.21, P = 0.002), right axis deviation (OR: 3.24, 95% CI: 1.86-5.64, P < 0.001), and atrial fibrillation (OR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.45-2.67, P < 0.001) for in-hospital mortality. Several ischemic patterns also were significantly predictive.Our conclusion is that ECG is potentially valuable in prognostication of acute PE.

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“…Twenty studies (4898 patients) reported data on in‐hospital mortality . Several ECG features were meta‐analyzed for this outcome (Table ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The value of electrocardiography in prognosticating clinical deterioration and mortality in acute pulmonary embolism: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Qaddoura

Digby

Kabali

et al. 2017

Clinical Cardiology

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“…These findings are consistent with a prior study looking at relationship of RHS pattern on ECG with adverse clinical events, where RHS on ECG added an incremental prognostic value to echocardiography in identifying high-risk patients. 8 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association Between Electrocardiographic Findings, Right Heart Strain, and Short‐Term Adverse Clinical Events in Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Hariharan

Dudzinski

Okechukwu

et al. 2015

Clinical Cardiology

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Background: Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes may be seen with pulmonary emboli (PE). Whether ECG is associated with short-term adverse clinical events after PE is less well established. Hypothesis: ECG findings are associated with short-term clinical deterioration after PE. Methods: Consecutive adult PE patients were enrolled in an academic emergency department from 2008 to 2011. The primary outcome was right heart strain (RHS) on echocardiogram or CT pulmonary angiography, or TnT ≥0.1 ng/mL. We derived an ECG (TwiST) score that is associated with RHS and short-term adverse clinical events. Results: We enrolled 298 patients with PE. On multivariate analysis, T-wave inversion in leads V 1 through V 3 (OR: 4.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7-13.2), S wave in lead I (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1-3.5), and tachycardia (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.3-4.8) were associated with RHS. A TwiST score ≤2 (n = 210, 72%) was 84% (95% CI: 77%-90%) sensitive for the absence of RHS, whereas a TwiST score ≥5 (n = 47, 16%) was 93% (95% CI: 88%-97%) specific for the presence of RHS. Conclusions: A simple ECG (TwiST) score can identify patients likely or not likely to have RHS with >80% specificity and sensitivity and may assist in identifying patients with acute PE at risk for adverse clinical events before pursuing other advanced imaging tests.

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“…Biological markers such as brain natriuretic peptide and troponin have been used, as have echocardiographic, electrocardiographic and computed tomographic parameters, either in isolation or in combination. (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7) However, not all of such indicators can be easily employed in clinical practice, either because the skills required to perform and interpret the results of some of these tests are not easily attained or because such tests are not always readily available. Certain prognostic models (most of which are based on clinical findings), such as the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI), have other practical limitations such as the inclusion of numerous variables.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Severe hypoxaemia can predict unfavourable clinical outcomes in individuals with pulmonary embolism aged over 40 years

Souza¹,

Resende²,

Rodrigues³

2014

smedj

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INTRODUCTION Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is an urgent clinical condition that can progress in a wide variety of ways. Therefore, we sought to develop an easy-to-apply algorithm, to be based on readily available clinical indicators, effective in predicting unfavourable outcomes. METHODSThis was a retrospective cohort study based on systematically collected data in a database. The study included 102 patients with APE who were admitted to a tertiary care hospital. The following outcomes were defined as unfavourable: shock, the need for mechanical ventilation, the use of thrombolytics, and death. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore variables significantly associated with outcome and to calculate post-test probabilities. RESULTSThe prevalence of unfavourable outcomes was 25.5% (26 of the 102 patients with APE). The risk of an unfavourable outcome was reduced to 7.0% for patients with APE who were aged ≤ 40 years. In patients with APE who were aged > 40 years, the presence of hypoxaemia (i.e. peripheral oxygen saturation < 90%) alone increased the risk of an unfavourable outcome to 57.0%. A recent history of trauma and the presence of pre-existing lung or heart disease were significantly associated with unfavourable outcomes. The inclusion of those variables in the logistic regression model increased the post-test risk of an unfavourable outcome to 65.0%-86.0%. CONCLUSIONAdvanced age (i.e. > 40 years), the presence of hypoxaemia, a recent history of trauma and the presence of pre-existing lung or heart disease are risk factors for unfavourable outcome in patients with APE.

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Electrocardiography and prognosis of patients with acute pulmonary embolism

Cited by 43 publications

References 10 publications

The value of electrocardiography in prognosticating clinical deterioration and mortality in acute pulmonary embolism: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

The value of electrocardiography in prognosticating clinical deterioration and mortality in acute pulmonary embolism: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Association Between Electrocardiographic Findings, Right Heart Strain, and Short‐Term Adverse Clinical Events in Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Severe hypoxaemia can predict unfavourable clinical outcomes in individuals with pulmonary embolism aged over 40 years

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