Development of early reperfusion after the first episode of acute pulmonary embolism

Introduction: Factors influencing the early reperfusion after pulmonary embolism (PE), with possible impact on development of chronic thromboembolic disease and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), have not been completely identified yet. Study population and methods: The total of 85 patients hospitalized with the first episode of acute PE underwent a ventilation-perfusion lung scan before hospital discharge. The reperfusion was evaluated based on clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory parameters. Results: The study population consisted of 37 men and 48 women, mean age 60 years. A high-risk PE was present in 9.4% of patients, medium-risk PE in 49.4% and low-risk PE in 41.2% of patients. 26 (30.5%) of patients were diagnosed with provoked pulmonary embolism. Prior to discharge, the residual perfusion defects were detectable in 66 patients, in 18 patients the perfusion was normal. The two groups did not significantly differ in clinical, echocardiographic or laboratory parameters. Conclusion: The analysis did not identify risk factors significantly associated with the absence of early reperfusion of the PE. This points toward the need of further follow-up of patients after a PE with the aim of identifying the patients with the high risk of developing the chronic thromboembolic disease and CTEPH. (C) 2018 The Czech Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.