Post-thrombolytic coagulopathy and complications in patients with pulmonary embolism treated with fixed-dose systemic alteplase.

Background: Alteplase treatment can cause a systemic coagulopathy although the incidence and contributory factors are unknown in pulmonary embolism (PE). Fixed-dosing of alteplase for PE may lead to interpatient variability in drug exposure and influence post-thrombolytic coagulopathy (PTC). While changes in fibrinogen and INR have been used to describe PTC, no universal PTC definition is available.

Effects of a Consensus-Based Pulmonary Embolism Treatment Algorithm and Response Team on Treatment Modality Choices, Outcomes, and Complications.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) treatment depends on disease severity and risk of complications. Physician and institutional expertise may influence the use of reperfusion therapy (RT) such as systemic thrombolysis (SL) and catheter-directed interventions (CDI). We aimed to investigate the effects of a consensus-based treatment algorithm (TA) and subsequent implementation of PE response team (PERT) on RT modality choices and patient outcomes.

Comparative Performance of Pulmonary Ultrasound, Chest Radiograph, and CT Among Patients With Acute Respiratory Failure.

Objectives: The study goal was to concurrently evaluate agreement of a 9-point pulmonary ultrasound protocol and portable chest radiograph with chest CT for localization of pathology to the correct lung and also to specific anatomic lobes among a diverse group of intubated patients with acute respiratory failure.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Medical, surgical, and neurologic ICUs at a 670-bed urban teaching hospital.