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Journal of Vascular Surgery. Venous and... Jul 2020Whereas the internal jugular vein is the most common site of thrombosis in patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the upper extremity, the association between...
OBJECTIVE
Whereas the internal jugular vein is the most common site of thrombosis in patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the upper extremity, the association between internal jugular vein thrombus and pulmonary embolism (PE) has not been clearly characterized. The objective of this paper was to determine the risk of embolization of an isolated internal jugular vein thrombus causing a clinically overt PE, with the secondary objective of assessing the value of therapeutic anticoagulation in patients with isolated internal jugular vein thrombosis (IJVT) in improving clinical outcomes.
METHODS
The National Center for Biotechnology Information, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched for articles. The relevant articles included were selected according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies were included if they specifically examined incidence of IJVT and incidence of PE and were excluded if they did not report on these rates specifically or failed to specify the exact site of upper extremity DVT.
RESULTS
Of the 274 articles screened, 25 were selected for full review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses inclusion criteria. Seven of those provided adequate data and were included in the review. There were only two studies demonstrating IJVT before PE that could probably establish causality, but this might be confounded by the presence of concomitant upper extremity DVT in one of the cases and radiologic findings compatible with resolving PE in another that might have preceded the presence of internal jugular vein thrombus. In the patients who were found to have PE in the setting of IJVT, the overall observed mortality attributed to PE was low. In specific studies, the use of anticoagulation did not reduce the mortality in those with isolated IJVT or affect the rate of thrombus resolution while carrying the risk of bleeding complications in these patients, who often have severe comorbidities.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the proximity of the jugular vein to the right side of the heart and the pulmonary vasculature, there is little proof of propagation of the thrombus to cause a clinically overt PE. Whereas current practice is to treat the patients with IJVT in the same way as patients with lower extremity DVTs are treated, the lack of any survival benefit in those with isolated IJVT and the risk of bleeding complications warrant further studies to characterize the need of medical management in this population of patients.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Hemorrhage; Humans; Incidence; Jugular Veins; Pulmonary Embolism; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome; Venous Thrombosis
PubMed: 32321692
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2020.03.003 -
Sports Medicine - Open Sep 2018Swimming-induced pulmonary oedema (SIPE) can affect people with no underlying health problems, but may be life threatening and is poorly understood. The aim of this... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Swimming-induced pulmonary oedema (SIPE) can affect people with no underlying health problems, but may be life threatening and is poorly understood. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise the evidence on SIPE incidence, prevalence, risk factors, short- and long-term outcomes, recurrence and effectiveness of interventions to prevent recurrences.
METHODS
We carried out a literature search using bibliographic databases and reference lists. Risk of bias was assessed by adapting existing quality assessment tools including those developed by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
RESULTS
Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Quantitative synthesis was not possible because of study heterogeneity. Five studies, which differed from each other in case definition, swimming environment, population characteristics and denominators, reported an incidence of 0.01% of UK triathlons raced over 5 years in unspecified swimming environments (one study, not fully reported, of men and women of unspecified age); 0.5% of river races swum over 3 days in Sweden (one study, of men and women up to the age of 70); and 1.8-26.7% of time trials in the sea around Israel (three studies of male teenage military trainees). One study reported that 1.4% of triathletes in the USA had experienced SIPE. One study found that hypertension, female sex, fish oil use, long course distance and another lower initial lung volumes and flows were risk factors for SIPE. A third study reported that higher mean pulmonary artery pressures and pulmonary artery wedge pressures, and lower tidal volumes were associated with SIPE. Three studies suggested that SIPE symptoms usually resolve within 24 h, although a restrictive deficit in lung function persisted for a week in one small study. We found no studies that reported deaths from SIPE. The single small study of longer-term outcomes reported no difference between affected and unaffected swimmers. Two studies suggested that around 30% of people report recurrences of SIPE. Two very small uncontrolled studies of the effect of sildenafil for recurrence prevention were inconclusive.
CONCLUSIONS
SIPE may be an important public health problem affecting the growing number of recreational open water swimmers. Further research should clarify the frequency of SIPE among recreational open water swimmers, confirm reported risk factors and explore others, explore long-term consequences and test interventions to prevent recurrences.
PubMed: 30238206
DOI: 10.1186/s40798-018-0158-8 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Mar 2015Most ischaemic strokes are caused by a blood clot blocking an artery in the brain. Clot prevention with anticoagulants might improve outcomes if bleeding risks are low.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Most ischaemic strokes are caused by a blood clot blocking an artery in the brain. Clot prevention with anticoagulants might improve outcomes if bleeding risks are low. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 1995, with recent updates in 2004 and 2008.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effectiveness and safety of early anticoagulation (within the first 14 days of onset) in people with acute presumed or confirmed ischaemic stroke.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (June 2014), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), the Database of Reviews of Effects (DARE) and the Health Technology Assessment Database (HTA) (The Cochrane Library 2014 Issue 6), MEDLINE (2008 to June 2014) and EMBASE (2008 to June 2014). In addition, we searched ongoing trials registries and reference lists of relevant papers. For previous versions of this review, we searched the register of the Antithrombotic Trialists' (ATT) Collaboration, consulted MedStrategy (1995), and contacted relevant drug companies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised trials comparing early anticoagulant therapy (started within two weeks of stroke onset) with control in people with acute presumed or confirmed ischaemic stroke.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently selected trials for inclusion, assessed trial quality, and extracted the data.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 24 trials involving 23,748 participants. The quality of the trials varied considerably. The anticoagulants tested were standard unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins, heparinoids, oral anticoagulants, and thrombin inhibitors. Over 90% of the evidence relates to the effects of anticoagulant therapy initiated within the first 48 hours of onset. Based on 11 trials (22,776 participants) there was no evidence that anticoagulant therapy started within the first 14 days of stroke onset reduced the odds of death from all causes (odds ratio (OR) 1.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98 to 1.12) at the end of follow-up. Similarly, based on eight trials (22,125 participants), there was no evidence that early anticoagulation reduced the odds of being dead or dependent at the end of follow-up (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.93 to 1.04). Although early anticoagulant therapy was associated with fewer recurrent ischaemic strokes (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.65 to 0.88), it was also associated with an increase in symptomatic intracranial haemorrhages (OR 2.55; 95% CI 1.95 to 3.33). Similarly, early anticoagulation reduced the frequency of symptomatic pulmonary emboli (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.44 to 0.81), but this benefit was offset by an increase in extracranial haemorrhages (OR 2.99; 95% CI 2.24 to 3.99).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Since the last version of the review, no new relevant studies have been published and so there is no additional information to change the conclusions. Early anticoagulant therapy is not associated with net short- or long-term benefit in people with acute ischaemic stroke. Treatment with anticoagulants reduced recurrent stroke, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, but increased bleeding risk. The data do not support the routine use of any of the currently available anticoagulants in acute ischaemic stroke.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Brain Ischemia; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk; Stroke
PubMed: 25764172
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000024.pub4 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology May 2014Patients with liver cirrhosis were traditionally believed to be protected against development of blood clots. Lately, studies have shown that these patients may probably... (Review)
Review
Patients with liver cirrhosis were traditionally believed to be protected against development of blood clots. Lately, studies have shown that these patients may probably be at an increased risk of venous thrombotic complications. Although the hemostatic changes in the chronic liver disease patients and the factors that may predict bleeding vs thrombotic complications remains an area of active research, it is believed that the coagulation cascade is delicately balanced in these patients because of parallel reduced hepatic synthesis of pro and anticoagulant factors. Thrombotic state in cirrhotic patients is responsible for not only portal or non-portal thrombosis [deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)]; it has also been associated with progression of liver fibrosis. The use of anticoagulants in cirrhosis patients is a challenging, and often a scary situation. This review summarizes the current literature on the prevalence of venous thrombosis (DVT and PE), risk factors and safety of prophylactic and therapeutic anticoagulation in patients with chronic liver disease.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Disease Progression; Fibrosis; Hemorrhage; Humans; Liver; Portal Vein; Prevalence; Pulmonary Embolism; Risk Factors; Thrombin; Venous Thrombosis
PubMed: 24914335
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i19.5737 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Sep 2019Infants born preterm (before 37 weeks' gestation) have poorer outcomes than infants at term, particularly if born before 32 weeks. Early cord clamping has been standard...
BACKGROUND
Infants born preterm (before 37 weeks' gestation) have poorer outcomes than infants at term, particularly if born before 32 weeks. Early cord clamping has been standard practice over many years, and enables quick transfer of the infant to neonatal care. Delayed clamping allows blood flow between the placenta, umbilical cord and baby to continue, and may aid transition. Keeping baby at the mother's side enables neonatal care with the cord intact and this, along with delayed clamping, may improve outcomes. Umbilical cord milking (UCM) is proposed for increasing placental transfusion when immediate care for the preterm baby is needed. This Cochrane Review is a further update of a review first published in 2004 and updated in 2012.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects on infants born at less than 37 weeks' gestation, and their mothers of: 1) delayed cord clamping (DCC) compared with early cord clamping (ECC) both with immediate neonatal care after cord clamping; 2) DCC with immediate neonatal care with cord intact compared with ECC with immediate neonatal care after cord clamping; 3) DCC with immediate neonatal care after cord clamping compared with UCM; 4) UCM compared with ECC with immediate neonatal care after cord clamping.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group Trials Register, ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (10 November 2017), and reference lists of retrieved studies. We updated the search in November 2018 and added nine new trial reports to the awaiting classification section to be assessed at the next update.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing delayed with early clamping of the umbilical cord (with immediate neonatal care after cord clamping or with cord intact) and UCM for births before 37 weeks' gestation. Quasi-RCTs were excluded.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. Random-effects are used in all meta-analyses. Review authors assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach.
MAIN RESULTS
This update includes forty-eight studies, involving 5721 babies and their mothers, with data available from 40 studies involving 4884 babies and their mothers. Babies were between 24 and 36 weeks' gestation at birth and multiple births were included. The data are mostly from high-income countries. Delayed clamping ranged between 30 to 180 seconds, with most studies delaying for 30 to 60 seconds. Early clamping was less than 30 seconds and often immediate. UCM was mostly before cord clamping but some were milked after cord clamping. We undertook subgroup analysis by gestation and type of intervention, and sensitivity analyses by low risk of selection and attrition bias.All studies were high risk for performance bias and many were unclear for other aspects of risk of bias. Certainty of the evidence using GRADE was mostly low, mainly due to imprecision and unclear risk of bias.Delayed cord clamping (DCC) versus early cord clamping (ECC) both with immediate neonatal care after cord clamping (25 studies, 3100 babies and their mothers)DCC probably reduces the number of babies who die before discharge compared with ECC (average risk ratio (aRR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54 to 0.98, 20 studies, 2680 babies (moderate certainty)).No studies reported on 'Death or neurodevelopmental impairment' in the early years'.DCC may make little or no difference to the number of babies with severe intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH grades 3 and 4) (aRR 0.94, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.39, 10 studies, 2058 babies, low certainty) but slightly reduces the number of babies with any grade IVH (aRR 0.83, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.99, 15 studies, 2333 babies, high certainty).DCC has little or no effect on chronic lung disease (CLD) (aRR 1.04, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.14, 6 studies, 1644 babies, high certainty).Due to insufficient data, we were unable to form conclusions regarding periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) (aRR 0.58, 95% CI 0.26 to 1.30, 4 studies, 1544 babies, low certainty) or maternal blood loss of 500 mL or greater (aRR 1.14, 95% CI 0.07 to 17.63, 2 studies, 180 women, very low certainty).We identified no important heterogeneity in subgroup or sensitivity analyses.Delayed cord clamping (DCC) with immediate neonatal care with cord intact versus early cord clamping (ECC) (one study, 276 babies and their mothers)There are insufficient data to be confident in our findings, but DCC with immediate neonatal care with cord intact may reduce the number of babies who die before discharge, although the data are also compatible with a slight increase in mortality, compared with ECC (aRR 0.47, 95% CI 0.20 to 1.11, 1 study, 270 babies, low certainty). DCC may also reduce the number of babies who die or have neurodevelopmental impairment in early years (aRR 0.61, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.96, 1 study, 218 babies, low certainty). There may be little or no difference in: severe IVH; all grades IVH; PVL; CLD; maternal blood loss ≥ 500 mL, assessed as low certainty mainly due to serious imprecision.Delayed cord clamping (DCC) with immediate neonatal care after cord clamping versus umbilical cord milking (UCM) (three studies, 322 babies and their mothers) and UCM versus early cord clamping (ECC) (11 studies, 1183 babies and their mothers)There are insufficient data for reliable conclusions about the comparative effects of UCM compared with delayed or early clamping (mostly low or very low certainty).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Delayed, rather than early, cord clamping may reduce the risk of death before discharge for babies born preterm. There is insufficient evidence to show what duration of delay is best, one or several minutes, and therefore the optimum time to clamp the umbilical cord remains unclear. Whilst the current evidence supports not clamping the cord before 30 seconds at preterm births, future trials could compare different lengths of delay. Immediate neonatal care with the cord intact requires further study, and there are insufficient data on UCM.The nine new reports awaiting further classification may alter the conclusions of the review once assessed.
Topics: Blood Transfusion; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Delivery, Obstetric; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Placental Circulation; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Premature Birth; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Time Factors; Umbilical Cord
PubMed: 31529790
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003248.pub4 -
A Systematic Review on Pulmonary Complications Secondary to Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.Cureus May 2022The main purpose of this systematic review was to identify and synthesize evidence about pulmonary complications following stem cell transplantation to raise awareness... (Review)
Review
The main purpose of this systematic review was to identify and synthesize evidence about pulmonary complications following stem cell transplantation to raise awareness among physicians since it is a lesser-known topic. Studies that included targeted pulmonary complications that occurred after stem cell transplantation; in humans; and were randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case studies between January 2011 and 2021. Fifteen intervention features were identified and analyzed in terms of their association with successful or unsuccessful interventions. Fifteen of 15 studies that met inclusion criteria had positive results. Features that appeared to have the most consistent positive effects included relevant information consisting of clinical presentations and management of complications. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a therapeutic method that has been introduced for various hematological diseases. Its main objective is to restore the hematopoietic function that has been eradicated or affected. The stem cell transplantation requires a period of administration of chemotherapeutic agents that may lead to infectious and/or non-infectious pulmonary complications that require follow-up. Noninfectious pulmonary complications include bronchiolitis obliterans, alveolar hemorrhage, fibroelastosis, pulmonary hypertension, and infections. Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome is an obstructive lung disease that affects the small airways, reducing lung function, and it's the most frequent late-onset complication. Furthermore, diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage is a fatal adverse effect and the most common noninfectious pulmonary complication of acute leukemia, observed within the first weeks after the procedure. Pulmonary hypertension has multiple etiologies, mainly related to the pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. It carries a poor prognosis, with a 55% mortality rate. The area of hematology is very wide and prone to new development of treatments and procedures that could be available for new emerging diseases and improving survival rates.
PubMed: 35686267
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.24807 -
Systematic review and meta-analysis of strategies for the diagnosis of suspected pulmonary embolism.BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Jul 2005To assess the likelihood ratios of diagnostic strategies for pulmonary embolism and to determine their clinical application according to pretest probability. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
To assess the likelihood ratios of diagnostic strategies for pulmonary embolism and to determine their clinical application according to pretest probability.
DATA SOURCES
Medline, Embase, and Pascal Biomed and manual search for articles published from January 1990 to September 2003.
STUDY SELECTION
Studies that evaluated diagnostic tests for confirmation or exclusion of pulmonary embolism. DATA EXTRACTED: Positive likelihood ratios for strategies that confirmed a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and negative likelihood ratios for diagnostic strategies that excluded a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.
DATA SYNTHESIS
48 of 1012 articles were included. Positive likelihood ratios for diagnostic tests were: high probability ventilation perfusion lung scan 18.3 (95% confidence interval 10.3 to 32.5), spiral computed tomography 24.1 (12.4 to 46.7), and ultrasonography of leg veins 16.2 (5.6 to 46.7). In patients with a moderate or high pretest probability, these findings are associated with a greater than 85% post-test probability of pulmonary embolism. Negative likelihood ratios were: normal or near normal appearance on lung scan 0.05 (0.03 to 0.10), a negative result on spiral computed tomography along with a negative result on ultrasonography 0.04 (0.03 to 0.06), and a d-dimer concentration < 500 mug/l measured by quantitative enzyme linked immunosorbent assay 0.08 (0.04 to 0.18). In patients with a low or moderate pretest probability, these findings were associated with a post-test probability of pulmonary embolism below 5%. Spiral computed tomography alone, a low probability ventilation perfusion lung scan, magnetic resonance angiography, a quantitative latex d-dimer test, and haemagglutination d-dimers had higher negative likelihood ratios and can therefore only exclude pulmonary embolism in patients with a low pretest probability.
CONCLUSIONS
The accuracy of tests for suspected pulmonary embolism varies greatly, but it is possible to estimate the range of pretest probabilities over which each test or strategy can confirm or rule out pulmonary embolism.
Topics: Echocardiography; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Humans; Leg; Likelihood Functions; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Pulmonary Embolism; Radionuclide Imaging; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography, Spiral Computed; Veins
PubMed: 16052017
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.331.7511.259 -
Clinical Medicine Insights. Oncology 2023Pulmonary toxicities caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors are a prominent concern for clinicians. Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) are critical for managing these... (Review)
Review
A Systematic Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Managing Pulmonary Toxicities Caused by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Quality of Treatment Recommendations and Differences in Management Strategies Between Guidelines.
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary toxicities caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors are a prominent concern for clinicians. Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) are critical for managing these toxicities.
METHODS
A systematic search of CPGs on checkpoint-associated pulmonary toxicities (ca-PT) was conducted in October 2022. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched. AGREE II and AGREE-REX were used to appraise CPGs and recommendations quality, respectively. Descriptive statistics, intraclass correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis (H) test, and Spearman's correlation were used for analyses. P-values < .05 were considered statistically significant. Matrices were used to determine recommendation differences between CPGs. The study's design was based on the PRISMA 2020 checklist for systematic reviews. Protocol registration number: CRD42022358435.
RESULTS
Eight CPGs (two high-quality, three moderate-quality, and three low-quality) were identified. All CPGs covered pneumonitis. One CPG covered pleural effusions and pneumonitis/SARs-CoV-2-infection. Three CPGs covered sarcoidosis-like-reactions. CPGs for pulmonary fibrosis, airway disease, bronchiolitis, and diffuse alveolar damage, were unavailable. No CPG recommendation was based on a prospective study, and none were appraised as high-quality. Also, recommendations were not specific to histopathologic subtypes. AGREE II's "rigor of development," the domain that evaluates a guideline's methodological approach and strategies in gathering scientific evidence, correlated strongly with AGREE-REX's "overall quality" pneumonitis recommendations, r = .952; P < .01. Approximately 73% of recommendations on pneumonitis were similar between high-quality CPGs. About 16% to 74% of low-quality CPGs were similar to those recommended by high-quality CPGs.
CONCLUSION
Prospectively designed research projects focusing on all types of ca-PT and their histopathologic subtypes are urgently needed. Due to the lack of high-quality recommendations in available CPGs, the disparities in treatment recommendations between high-quality CPGs, and the similarities in recommendations that exists between high-quality and low-quality CPGs, clinicians should thoroughly assess and responsibly appraise all available CPG recommendations in formulating treatment strategies for ca-PT.
PubMed: 38033741
DOI: 10.1177/11795549231203153 -
BMC Pulmonary Medicine Jan 2021Bilirubin is a potent antioxidant and higher serum bilirubin levels have been associated with improved COPD outcomes. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the...
BACKGROUND
Bilirubin is a potent antioxidant and higher serum bilirubin levels have been associated with improved COPD outcomes. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the association between serum bilirubin levels and lung function (FEV), prevalence/incidence of COPD, acute exacerbations of COPD, respiratory health status, and mortality.
METHODS
MEDLINE® and Embase were searched using Ovid® (search updated October 1st, 2019). We included studies that measured serum bilirubin levels and outcomes of interest in adults with or without underlying lung disease. We excluded studies of those with liver disease or drug-induced elevations in bilirubin. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa scale to assess individual study risk of bias (ROB) and the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality-Evidence Based Practice tool to assess overall strength of evidence (SOE). Two authors independently determined eligibility, performed data abstraction, assessed ROB, and determined SOE.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies (5 low risk of bias, 3 moderate and 5 high risk) were included. We found low strength of evidence for the association between higher bilirubin levels and lower risk of acute exacerbations of COPD (2 studies), mortality (3 studies), COPD diagnosis (4 studies), and lung function (FEV) (8 studies). We found insufficient evidence on the relationship between serum bilirubin and respiratory health status/exercise capacity (1 study) and airflow obstruction (FEV/FVC ratio) (4 studies).
CONCLUSION
Higher bilirubin levels may be associated with lower mortality and improved COPD outcomes. Randomized trials are needed to evaluate the effect of medications that raise serum bilirubin on COPD outcomes. PROSPERO registration: CRD42019145747.
Topics: Antioxidants; Bilirubin; Disease Progression; Humans; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Respiratory Function Tests
PubMed: 33472602
DOI: 10.1186/s12890-021-01395-9 -
Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism Feb 2014Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a frequent complication in connective tissue diseases (CTD), especially in systemic sclerosis (SSc), and is associated with a... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a frequent complication in connective tissue diseases (CTD), especially in systemic sclerosis (SSc), and is associated with a high degree of morbidity and mortality. We undertook a systematic review for the screening tests for CTD-PAH.
METHODS
A systematic literature search of PAH in CTD was performed in available databases through June 2012. Our evaluation of diagnostic tests was focused on patients with PAH confirmed by right heart catheterization (RHC).
RESULTS
The search resulted in 2805 titles and 838 abstracts. Our final inclusion encompassed 22 articles-six of which were case-control studies and 16 were cohort studies. Twelve studies assessed the tricuspid regurgitation velocity (VTR) or equivalent right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) using transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) as a threshold for RHC in patients suspected as having PAH. The screening threshold for RHC was VTR from >2.73 to >3.16 m/s without symptoms or 2.5-3.0m/s with symptoms and resulted in 20-67% of patients having RHC-proven PAH. Three studies looked at pulmonary function tests and found that a low lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (45-70% of predicted) is associated with a 5.6-7.4% development of PAH, and a decline in DLCO% is associated with an increase in the specificity (for DLCO ≤ 60%, spec = 45%; and for DLCO ≤ 50%, spec = 90%) for PAH. Five studies assessed N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), where a cutoff >239 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 90-100%.
CONCLUSIONS
Our systematic review revealed that most evidence exists for TTE, pulmonary function tests, and NT-ProBNP for screening and diagnosis of SSc-PAH; however, more robust studies are needed.
Topics: Connective Tissue Diseases; Echocardiography; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; Peptide Fragments; Respiratory Function Tests; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 24012044
DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2013.08.002