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Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disease. While various inflammatory conditions have been linked to venous thromboembolism (VTE), the risk of VTE among patients with AD remains unclear. We sought to systematically review and meta-analyze population-based studies to determine the association between AD and incident VTE. A systematic review was performed of published studies in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane library from their inception to 27 May 2024. At least two reviewers conducted title/abstract, full-text review and data extraction. Cohort studies examining the association of AD with incident VTE were included. Quality of evidence was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Six cohort studies, encompassing a total of 10,186,861 participants, were included. The meta-analysis revealed a significantly increased risk for incident VTE among AD patients (pooled hazard ratio (HR), 1.10; 95% CI, 1.00-1.21), with an incidence rate of VTE at 3.35 events per 1000 patient-years. Individual outcome analyses suggested that AD was associated with higher risks of deep vein thrombosis (pooled HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04-1.27) but not pulmonary embolism (pooled HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.87-1.13). This systematic review and meta-analysis indicated an increased risk of incident VTE among patients with AD. Future studies are necessary to elucidate the underlying pathophysiology of the association between AD and VTE.

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Risk stratification of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) assists with the selection of appropriate initial therapy and treatment setting. Patients with acute symptomatic PE that present with arterial hypotension or shock have a high risk of death, and treatment guidelines recommend strong consideration of reperfusion in this setting. For haemodynamically stable patients with PE, the combination of a negative clinical prognostic score and the absence of computed tomography-assessed right ventricle enlargement may accurately identify those at low-risk of short-term complications after the diagnosis of PE, and such patients might benefit from an abbreviated hospital stay or outpatient therapy. Some evidence suggests that the accumulation of factors indicating worse outcomes from PE on standard anticoagulation identifies the more severe stable patients with acute PE who might benefit from intensive monitoring and recanalization procedures, particularly if haemodynamic deterioration occurs. Current risk classifications have several shortcomings that might adversely affect clinical and healthcare decisions. Ongoing initiatives aim to address many of those shortcomings, and will hopefully help optimize risk stratification algorithms and treatment strategies.

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Only few years after the first report on diagnosing acute pulmonary embolism (PE) with pulmonary angiography, studies began to investigate the effectiveness and safety of thrombolytic therapy for achieving early reperfusion. In 1992, Guy Meyer demonstrated the fast improvement of pulmonary haemodynamics after alteplase administration; this drug has remained the mainstay of thrombolysis for PE over almost 35 years. In the meantime, algorithms for PE risk stratification continued to evolve. The landmark Pulmonary Embolism International Thrombolysis (PEITHO) trial, led by Guy Meyer, demonstrated the clinical efficacy of thrombolysis for intermediate-risk PE, albeit at a relatively high risk of major, particularly intracranial bleeding. Today, systemic thrombolysis plays an only minor role in the real-world treatment of acute PE in the United States and Europe, but major trials are underway to test safer reperfusion regimens. Of those, the PEITHO-3 study, conceived by Guy Meyer and other European and North American experts, is an ongoing randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multinational academic trial. The primary objective is to assess the efficacy of reduced-dose intravenous thrombolytic therapy against the background of heparin anticoagulation in patients with intermediate-high-risk PE. In parallel, trials with similar design are testing the efficacy and safety of catheter-directed local thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy. Increasingly, focus is being placed on long-term functional and patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life indicators, as well as on the utilization of health care resources. The pioneering work of Guy Meyer will thus continue to have a major impact on the management of PE for years to come.

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Inpatient management of low-risk patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) places a large resource burden on the healthcare system. Adult patients diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) in the emergency department (ED) have historically been hospitalized and treated with therapeutic anticoagulation. However, over the last two decades, outpatient treatment of patients with acute DVT and low risk PE has become increasingly accepted as an effective and safe option for patients given the low risk of short-term clinical deterioration. The purpose of this project was to establish a transition of care (TCM) program for patients with acute VTE presenting to the ED. The primary goals for the project included better quality patient follow-up in the Vascular Medicine Nurse Practitioner (NP) within one week and medication adherence. The second goal was increasing appropriate ED discharges for patients with low-risk VTE. Outcome metrics include the rate of early discharge of low-risk patients with VTE, follow-up in the Vascular Medicine NP clinic, and anticoagulant adherence.

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Venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (venous thromboembolism) are important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In patients with venous thromboembolism, thrombi obstruct blood vessels and resist physiological dissolution (fibrinolysis), which can be life threatening and cause chronic complications. Plasminogen activator therapy, which was developed >50 years ago, is effective in dissolving thrombi but has unacceptable bleeding risks. Safe dissolution of thrombi in patients with venous thromboembolism has been elusive despite multiple innovations in plasminogen activator design and catheter-based therapy. Evidence now suggests that fibrinolysis is rigidly controlled by endogenous fibrinolysis inhibitors, including α2-antiplasmin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and thrombin-activable fibrinolysis inhibitor. Elevated levels of these fibrinolysis inhibitors are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism in humans. New therapeutic paradigms suggest that accelerated and effective fibrinolysis may be achieved safely by therapeutically targeting these fibrinolytic inhibitors in venous thromboembolism. In this article, we discuss the role of fibrinolytic components in venous thromboembolism and the current status of research and development targeting fibrinolysis inhibitors.

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BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and potentially fatal disease, with differences in mortality rates among PE patients of different sexes. This study aims to investigate the disparities in clinical manifestations and in-hospital mortality rates between sexes in PE patients, as well as the association of clinical symptoms with in-hospital mortality. METHODS: We analyzed data from the China pUlmonary thromboembolism REgistry Study (CURES), a nationwide, multicenter, prospective registry focusing on patients with acute PE. Using propensity score matching (PSM) to pair male and female patients with PE, we explored the correlation between clinical symptoms and in-hospital mortality through multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 15,203 patients with acute PE were enrolled, and 380 died during hospitalization. The incidence of chest pain, hemoptysis, and palpitations was significantly higher in males compared to females. The incidence of dyspnea, fever, and syncope was higher in females. Hemoptysis and dyspnea were associated with increased in-hospital mortality in males, whereas dyspnea, fever, and palpitations were linked to higher mortality in females. Overall, males exhibited a higher in-hospital mortality than females (2.9 % vs. 2.1 %, p = 0.002). After matching 13,130 patients using the PSM method, the mortality rate of males remained higher than that of females (2.7 % vs. 2.1 %, p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that male patients with PE have a higher risk of in-hospital mortality than females. Significant differences in clinical symptoms between sexes are associated with increased mortality risk, emphasizing the need for clinical awareness.

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Catheter-based interventions and surgical embolectomy represent alternatives to systemic fibrinolysis for patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) or those with intermediate-high-risk PE who deteriorate hemodynamically. They are indicated when systemic fibrinolysis is contraindicated or ineffective, or if obstructive shock is imminent. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can be added to reperfusion therapies or used alone for severe right ventricular dysfunction and cardiogenic shock. These advanced therapies complement but do not replace anticoagulation, which remains the cornerstone in PE management. This review summarizes the evidence and shares practical recommendations for the use of anticoagulant therapy before, during, and after acute PE interventions.

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BACKGROUND: Post pulmonary embolism (PE) dyspnea is common. Existing non-invasive studies have demonstrated that post PE dyspnea is associated with elevations in right ventricular afterload, dead space ventilation, and deconditioning. We aimed to use invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing (iCPET) parameters in patients with post PE dyspnea to identify unique physiologic phenotypes. RESEARCH QUESTION: Are there distinct post pulmonary embolism dyspnea physiologic phenotypes described with iCPET? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients were enrolled at the time of acute PE and through our pulmonary hypertension and dyspnea clinic. ICPET was performed if there was high suspicion for pulmonary hypertension or if there was unexplained dyspnea. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to identify dyspnea phenotypes. ICPET parameters assessing pulmonary hemodynamics, ventilation, and peripheral oxygen utilization were then compared within and across each cluster and with iCPET controls against peak oxygen consumption (Peak VO2). RESULTS: 173 patients were enrolled. Sixty-seven patients underwent iCPET. All patients had reductions in Peak VO2 and peak cardiac index relative to controls. Three clusters were identified. Cluster one was defined by having elevated RV afterload and impaired ventilatory efficiency. Cluster two had elevated RV afterload with reductions in respiratory mechanics. Cluster three had mild derangement in RV afterload with mild reductions in peak cardiac output. INTERPRETATION: iCPET reveals significant heterogeneity in post PE dyspnea. Three phenotypes are characterized by differences in RV afterload, ventilatory efficiency, respiratory mechanics, and peripheral oxygen utilization.

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BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) leads to many emergency department visits annually. Thrombolytic agents, such as alteplase, are currently recommended for massive PE, but genetically modified tenecteplase (TNK) presents advantages. Limited comparative studies exist between TNK and alteplase in PE treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and mortality of TNK compared with alteplase in patients with PE using real-world evidence obtained from a large multicenter registry. Primary outcomes included mortality, intracranial hemorrhage, and blood transfusions. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used the TriNetX Global Health Research Network. Patients aged 18 years or older with a PE diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification code I26) were included. The following two cohorts were defined: TNK-treated (29 organizations, 266 cases) and alteplase-treated (22,864 cases). Propensity matching controlled for demographic characteristics, anticoagulant use, pre-existing conditions, and vital sign abnormalities associated with PE severity. Patients received TNK or alteplase within 7 days of diagnosis and outcomes were measured at 30 days post thrombolysis. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-three patients in each cohort were comparable in demographic characteristics and pre-existing conditions. Mortality rates at 30 days post thrombolysis were similar between TNK and alteplase cohorts (19.4% vs 19.8%; risk ratio 0.982; 95% CI 0.704-1.371). Rates of intracerebral hemorrhages and transfusion were too infrequent to analyze. CONCLUSIONS: This study found TNK to exhibit a similar mortality rate to alteplase in the treatment of PE with hemodynamic instability. The results necessitate prospective evaluation. Given the cost-effectiveness and ease of administration of TNK, these findings contribute to the ongoing discussion about its adoption as a primary thrombolytic agent for stroke and PE.

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This study generated evidence to guide anticoagulation in patients with VTE after vaccination for COVID-19. We provided data on the low recurrence rate after cessation of anticoagulant therapy and the findings for this study offer timely insights into the management of a potentially vaccine-related adverse event.

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OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation and periarticular bone loss, leading to systemic osteoporosis and heightened fracture susceptibility, especially hip fractures among the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes and complications associated with hip fractures in patients with RA relative to those without RA. METHODS: Using the Japanese National Administrative Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database, we examined cases of femoral neck fractures from April 2016 to March 2023. After one to three propensity score matching for age, sex, and complications, we examined the association between RA, complications, and mortality during hospitalization in elderly patients with hip fractures. RESULTS: The findings revealed that elderly Japanese RA patients with hip fractures had significantly higher complications of pneumonia than elderly hip fracture patients without RA, with a ratio of 1.232 (95% CI: 1.065-1.426, p=0.0056), and pulmonary embolism, with a ratio of 1.155 (95% CI: 1.036-1.287, p=0.009) in multivariate logistic regression analyses. Although not significantly elevated, it also found a trend toward higher mortality during hospitalization, with a ratio of 1.179 (95% CI: 0.973-1.429, p=0.096). CONCLUSIONS: A substantial study based on the Japanese DPC database revealed a significant association between RA and increased complications, including pneumonia and pulmonary embolism. On the other hand, there was a nonsignificant but higher trend for risk of mortality during hospitalization for hip fracture in elderly RA patients. Implementing preventive strategies is essential to minimizing complications in the treatment of hip fractures in patients with RA.

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The diagnosis of extensive pulmonary tuberculosis, especially in young people, should take into account the possibility of an associated systemic autoimmune disease. Infections remain an important cause of morbidity and mortalityin systemic lupus erythematosus. This case illustrates the importance of recognizing the association of systemic autoimmune diseases and infections and the need for a multidisciplinary approach.

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Purpose: Recurrent inflammatory fevers with multisystem involvement occur clinically and may indicate an autoimmune disease. Case: We present a young male diagnosed with pulmonary embolism who experienced recurrent fever during hospitalization and was unresponsive to antibiotics and antipyretics. A follow-up history revealed chronic oral and genital ulcers, leading to a final diagnosis of Behçet's disease. Conclusion: The patient's temperature normalized rapidly after corticosteroid therapy, and infection markers returned to normal. Complete remission was achieved with immunosuppression and glucocorticoid therapy. Reporting characteristics, treatment experience, and outcomes of such cases are essential to inform future diagnosis and management strategies.

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BACKGROUND: Patients with an acute pulmonary embolism (APE) are a heterogeneous group, and some of them may benefit from early discharge and an ambulatory care referral. We aimed to evaluate the use of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) plasma level assessment in patients with low-risk APE based on clinical findings (0 points on the simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI)). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preliminary analysis of an ongoing prospective study including 1,151 normotensive patients with at least a segmental APE. In the final analysis, 348 patients with a 0-point sPESI were included. Blood samples were collected within the first 24 h of admission. The clinical endpoint (CE) included APE-related mortality and/or rescue thrombolysis in patients with clinical deterioration. RESULTS: Clinical endpoints occurred in 3 patients who had higher plasma NT-proBNP levels than study participants with a favorable clinical course (164 [64-650] pg/mL compared to 2,930 [2,285.5-13,965] pg/mL; p = 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for NT-proBNP for the prediction of the CEs was 0.918 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.831-1.00; p = 0.013). We defined the cutoff value of NT-proBNP at ≥1,641 pg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Among subjects with 0 points on the sPESI, those with concentrations of NT-proBNP exceeding 1,641 pg/mL might require closer attention; remaining patients could be considered candidates for outpatient treatment. However, these findings warrant further investigation in a large, prospective group of patients.

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In recent years the diagnostics of pulmonary artery embolisms (PE) has gained significance, with confirmation occurring in only about 15-25 % of suspected cases. Despite technological advances, radiological methods remain problematic due to radiation and contrast medium exposure. Clinical scores play a crucial role in the risk assessment of PE. High-risk situations call for specific measures, while negative D­dimers can help avoid overdiagnosis. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) remains the gold standard with high sensitivity and specificity. Treatment requires an interdisciplinary team (pulmonary embolism response team, PERT). Anticoagulation is an option for stable patients, while in unstable or unsuccessful courses, thrombolysis or interventional procedures can be considered. Side effects, especially the risk of bleeding, need to be considered for both forms of treatment.

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Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Identifying risk factors and diagnostic markers can aid in the early detection and management of this condition. Methods: This case-control study examined 10,077 patients admitted to Shenzhen Kangning Hospital's psychiatry facility in 2020. Among these, 65 patients were diagnosed with PE, including 50 new cases. After survival sampling for controls and age-and-gender matching, the study included 41 new PE cases and 41 age-and-gender-matched controls. Data on demographics, comorbidities, and medication use were extracted from electronic records. Conditional logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between each predictor and PE risk. Additionally, the sensitivity and specificity of the d-dimer diagnostic tool were assessed. Results: In univariable conditional logistic regression, active alcoholism was associated with a higher PE risk (OR=3.675, 95% CI 1.02-13.14, P=0.046). A history of physical restraint (OR=4.33, 95% CI 1.24-15.21, P=0.022) and chemical restraint (OR 4.67, 95% CI 1.34-16.24, p=0.015) also increased PE risk, as did benzodiazepine use (OR=3.33, 95% CI 1.34-8.30, P=0.010). Conversely, psychotropic medication before admission was associated with a lower risk of PE (OR=0.07, 95% CI 0.01-0.59, P=0.013). Stepwise multivariable forward conditional regression identified two subsets of psychiatric patients at higher risk of PE: new psychiatric cases without medication at admission who were chemically restrained, and cases without medication at admission who were started on antipsychotics and benzodiazepines. The d-dimer diagnostic tool, with an optimal threshold of 570 ng/ml determined by the Youden index (J statistic of 0.6098), showed a sensitivity of 73.17% and specificity of 87.80% for detecting PE, with an AUC of 0.833 (95% CI: 0.735-0.906). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a history of restraint, alcoholism, and the use of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines are important predictors of PE in psychiatric inpatients. Conversely, psychotropic medications at admission may be linked to a lower PE risk. The d-dimer diagnostic tool shows good value for screening PE in psychiatric inpatients. These predictors and diagnostic markers could help clinicians identify high-risk patients and implement appropriate prevention strategies.

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Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) causes significant preventable morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Assessing VTE risk is essential to initiating appropriate prophylaxis and reducing VTE outcomes. Studies show that computerized clinical decision support (CDS) can improve VTE risk assessment (RA), prophylaxis, and outcomes but few examined the effectiveness of specific design features. From 2008 to 2016, University of Michigan Health implemented CDS for VTE prevention in four stages, which alternated between voluntary and mandatory RA using the 2005 Caprini model and generated inpatient orders for risk-appropriate prophylaxis based on CHEST guidelines. This cross-sectional study evaluated the impact of mandatory versus voluntary RA on VTE prophylaxis and outcomes for adult medical and surgical patients admitted to the health system. Methods Interrupted time series analysis was conducted to evaluate the trend in smart order set-recommended VTE prophylaxis by CDS stage. Logistic regression with CDS stage as the primary independent variable was used in pairwise comparisons of VTE during hospitalization and within 90 days post-discharge for mandatory versus voluntary RA. Adjusted odd ratios (ORs) were calculated for total, in-hospital, and post-discharge VTE. Results In this study of 223,405 inpatients over 8 years, smart order set-recommended prophylaxis increased from 65 to 79%; it increased significantly when voluntary RA in Stage 1 became mandatory in Stage 2 (10.59%, p < 0.001) and decreased significantly when it returned to voluntary in Stage 3 (-11.24%, p < 0.001). The rate increased slightly when mandatory RA was reestablished in Stage 4 (0.23%, p = 0.935). Adjusted ORs for VTE were lower for mandatory RA versus adjacent stages with voluntary RA. The adjusted OR for Stage 2 versus Stage 1 was 14% lower ( p < 0.05) and versus Stage 3 was 11% lower ( p < 0.05). The adjusted OR for Stage 4 versus Stage 3 was 4% lower ( p = 0.60). These results were driven by changes in in-hospital VTE. By contrast, the incidence of post-discharge VTE increased in each successive stage. Conclusion Mandatory RA was more effective in improving smart order set-recommended prophylaxis and VTE outcomes, particularly in-hospital VTE. Post-discharge VTE increased despite high adherence to risk-appropriate prophylaxis, indicating that guidelines for extended, post-discharge prophylaxis are needed to further reduce VTE for hospitalized patients.

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BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a critical condition requiring effective management strategies. Several options are available, including thrombolytic therapy and anticoagulants. OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of thrombolytic therapy either combined with anticoagulant (AC) or alone versus AC alone on mortality, recurrence, clinical deterioration, bleeding, and hospital stay. METHOD: This study included 25 previously published studies from 1990 to 2023, with a total of 12 836 participants. Dichotomous and continuous analysis models were used to evaluate outcomes, with heterogeneity and publication bias tests applied. A random model was used for data analysis. Several databases were searched for the identification and inclusion of studies, such as Ovid, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Embase. RESULTS: For sub-massive PE, CDT plus AC significantly reduced in-hospital, 30-day, and 12-month mortality compared to AC alone, odds ratio (OR) of -0.99 (95% CI [-1.32 to -0.66]), with increased major bleeding risk but no difference in minor bleeding or hospital stay, OR = 0.46, 95% CI [-0.03 to 0.96]). For acute intermediate PE, systemic thrombolytic therapy did not affect all-cause or in-hospital mortality but increased minor bleeding, reduced recurrent PE, and prevented clinical deterioration. The heterogeneity of different models in the current study varied from 0% to 37.9%. CONCLUSION: The addition of CDT to AC improves mortality outcomes for sub-massive PE but raises the risk of major bleeding. Systemic thrombolytic therapy reduces recurrence and clinical decline in acute intermediate PE despite increasing minor bleeding. Individualized patient assessment is essential for optimizing PE management strategies.

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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and risk stratification indicators as well as thrombus burden in patients with moderate-to-high risk acute pulmonary embolism (APE), and to assess the changes in these parameters following interventional therapy. METHODS: This study retrospectively included patients with moderate-to-high risk APE who were admitted to the Department of Interventional Vascular Surgery at Putian First Hospital from May 2020 to May 2024. All patients received anticoagulation therapy, pulmonary artery catheter-directed thrombolysis, and/or mechanical thrombectomy. Patients were further divided into subgroup A if they did not present with any of the following conditions at admission: a) acute inflammatory diseases (including lung infections); b) malignant tumors; c) history of trauma or surgery within the past 2 months. Patients with any of the aforementioned conditions were classified as subgroup B. Additionally, 50 healthy individuals were randomly selected as the healthy control group. RESULTS: The NLR and PLR in subgroup A were significantly lower than those in subgroup B (P < .01). Compared with the healthy control group, the NLR in the APE group and subgroup A was significantly higher (P < .001). There were no significant differences in NLR and PLR between the troponin I-negative and troponin I-positive groups (P > .05), or between the N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)-negative and NT-proBNP-positive groups (P > .05). There were no significant correlations between NLR and PLR with risk stratification indicators and pulmonary artery embolism index (P > .05). Compared with before treatment, NLR, troponin I, NT-proBNP, right ventricular diameter/left ventricular diameter ratio, and pulmonary artery embolism index were significantly reduced after treatment (P < .05), while there was no significant difference in PLR before and after treatment (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Elevated NLR in patients with APE, which decreases after effective treatment, may be used for assessing disease status and treatment efficacy. However, there is no correlation between NLR and risk stratification indicators or thrombus burden. PLR does not demonstrate significant value in assessing APE.

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