Hemodynamic Effects of Ultrasound-Assisted, Catheter-Directed, Very Low-Dose, Short-Time Duration Thrombolysis in Acute Intermediate-High Risk Pulmonary Embolism (from the EKOS-PL Study).

Ultrasound-assisted, catheter-directed, low-dose thrombolysis (USAT) at an average alteplase dose of 20 mg infused over 12 to 24 hours reversed right ventricular disfunction and improved pulmonary hemodynamics in intermediate-high-risk pulmonary embolism patients. As bleeding risk increases with the thrombolytic dose, establishing a minimal effective USAT dosing regimen is of clinical importance. We aimed to investigate hemodynamic effects and safety of a very low-alteplase-dose USAT of 10 mg administered within 5 hours. We included 12 consecutive intermediate-high-risk pulmonary embolism patients with symptoms duration of <14 days and proximal thrombi location in pulmonary arteries. Pulmonary Embolism Response Team decision-based fixed, bilateral ultrasound-assisted alteplase infusions at the rate of 1mg/hour/catheter for 5 hours through EKOS system catheters were made. The primary efficacy measure was the change in invasive systolic and mean pulmonary arteries pressure, and in cardiac index from USAT start to termination. Safety measures were 180-day all-cause death or cardiopulmonary decompensation and bleeding complications. The systolic pulmonary arteries pressure and mean pulmonary arteries pressure decreased from 53 (45.5 to 59) to 37.5 (27.5 to 40.5) mm Hg (p = 0.02) and from 29.5 (27.5 to 32) to 21.5 (15.5 to 25) mm Hg (p = 0.02), respectively. The cardiac index increased from 1.6 (1.5 to 1.8) to 2.2 (1.9 to 2.4) l/min/m2, (p = 0.02). No deaths, decompensations, or need for therapy intensification occurred. There was 1 episode of access-site bleeding, which subsided after conservative management. No intracranial hemorrhages appeared. In conclusion, reduced dose and duration USAT improved pulmonary hemodynamics and cardiac function leading to cardiopulmonary stabilization in intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism patients at a low periprocedural risk.

Stępniewski J ，Kopeć G ，Musiałek P ，Magoń W ，Jonas K ，Waligóra M ，Sobczyk D ，Podolec P ... -  《-》

Ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis for acute submassive pulmonary embolism.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis (USAT) in patients with submassive pulmonary embolism (PE). This retrospective study comprised 45 consecutive patients (15 prospective, 30 retrospective) who underwent USAT for submassive PE from June 2012-May 2014. Inclusion criteria were right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) as indicated by right ventricle-to-left ventricle (RV:LV) ratio > 0.9, symptoms of < 2 weeks' duration, and absence of absolute contraindication to thrombolysis. All patients underwent pulmonary artery catheterization with a standardized protocol (24 mg recombinant tissue plasminogen activator). Hemodynamic evaluation immediately after USAT, RV:LV ratio evaluation at 48-72 hours after USAT by computed tomography angiography and echocardiography, and adverse event reporting for a minimum of 30 days were performed. Outcomes and complications are reported as per the Society of Interventional Radiology Reporting Standards for Endovascular Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism. USAT was technically successful in 100% (n = 45) of patients. Main pulmonary artery pressure significantly decreased from 49.8 mm Hg to 31.1 mm Hg (P < .0001). RVD significantly improved with mean RV:LV ratios decreasing from 1.59 to 0.93 (P < .0001). There were 6 complications: 4 minor bleeding episodes at access sites and 2 major bleeding complications (flank and arm hematoma). All-cause mortality at 30 days was 0%. There were no readmissions for PE at 30 days after discharge. Ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis using a standardized low-dose protocol is a safe and efficacious method of treatment of submassive PE to reduce acute pulmonary hypertension and RVD.

Bagla S ，Smirniotopoulos JB ，van Breda A ，Sheridan MJ ，Sterling KM ... -  《-》

Ultrasound-Assisted Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis for Submassive Pulmonary Embolism.

Mohan PP ，Manov JJ ，Contreras F ，Langston ME ，Doshi MH ，Narayanan G ... -  《-》

Ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis (USAT) versus standard catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for treatment of pulmonary embolism: A retrospective analysis.

Rothschild DP ，Goldstein JA ，Ciacci J ，Bowers TR ... -  《-》

Comparative Outcomes of Ultrasound-Assisted Thrombolysis and Standard Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis in the Treatment of Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients undergoing ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis (USAT) and standard catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for the treatment of acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The records of all patients in our institution having undergone CDT or USAT for massive or submassive PE from 2009 to 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Standard statistical methods were used to compare characteristics and to assess for longitudinal change in outcomes. Sixty-three patients, 27 CDT and 36 USAT, were treated for massive (12.7%) or submassive (87.3%) PE. Of which, 96.8% were treated for bilateral PE. Baseline patient characteristics did not differ between the 2 treatment groups. There was no difference in total dose of lytic administered (CDT: 23.2 ± 13.7 mg; USAT: 27.5 ± 12.9 mg; P = .2). Two patients in the CDT and 1 in the USAT groups required conversion to surgical thrombectomy (CDT: 7.4%; USAT: 2.8%; P = .6). Rates of major and minor bleeding complications (CDT: 11.0%; USAT: 13.9%; P = .8) did not differ significantly between the CDT and USAT groups. Estimated survival at 90 days was 92% for CDT and 93% for USAT and 82% at 1 year for both groups (P = .8). All echocardiographic parameters improved significantly from baseline to 1-year follow-up, but quantitative improvement did not differ between groups. This study suggests no statistical differences in clinical and hemodynamic outcomes or procedural complication rates between USAT and standard CDT for the treatment of acute PE. Prospective studies are needed to further evaluate comparative and cost-effectiveness of different interventions for acute massive and submassive PE.

Liang NL ，Avgerinos ED ，Marone LK ，Singh MJ ，Makaroun MS ，Chaer RA ... -  《-》