Ambulance crew-initiated non-conveyance in the Helsinki EMS system-A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Ambulance patients are usually transported to the hospital in the emergency medical service (EMS) system. The aim of this study was to describe the non-conveyance practice in the Helsinki EMS system and to report mortality following non-conveyance decisions.

Methods: All prehospital patients ≥16 years attended by the EMS but not transported to a hospital during 2013-2017 were included in the study.

N-terminal Pro-brain Natriuretic Peptide, High-sensitivity Troponin and Pulmonary Artery Clot Score as Predictors of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Echocardiography.

Background: We investigated the ability of cardiac biomarkers and total pulmonary artery (PA) clot score to predict right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) on admission and at seven-month follow-up in subjects with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Methods: Sixty-three normotensive patients with APE were divided into two groups: patients with (n= 32, age 58±19 years) and without (n=31, age 55±16 years) echocardiographic RVD. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) were assessed upon arrival and repeated at seven months.

Helical computerized tomography and NT-proBNP for screening of right ventricular overload on admission and at long term follow-up of acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) can be assessed with helical computerized tomography (CT) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Signs of RVD and elevated natriuretic peptides like NT-proBNP and cardiac troponin (TnT) are associated with increased risk of mortality. However, the prognostic role of both initial diagnostic strategy and the use of NT-proBNP and TnT for screening for long-term probability of RVD remains unknown.

Reduction in membrane component of diffusing capacity is associated with the extent of acute pulmonary embolism.

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) often decreases pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL,CO), but data on the mechanisms involved are inconsistent. We wanted to investigate whether reduction in diffusing capacity of alveolo-capillary membrane (DM) and pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc) is associated with the extent of PE or the presence and severity of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) induced by PE and how the possible changes are corrected after 7-month follow-up. Forty-seven patients with acute non-massive PE in spiral computed tomography (CT) were included.

Sensitive and quantitative, 10-min immunofluorometric assay for D-Dimer in whole blood.

Introduction: Normal concentrations of D-Dimer can be used to exclude venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, methods for sensitive and quantitative D-Dimer measurements at the point-of-care (POC) are still limited.

Materials And Methods: We developed a 10-min, non-competitive immunofluorometric assay for D-Dimer in citrated whole blood and plasma using pre-dispensed reagents dried in single assay wells.