Can a Trained Radiology Technician Do Arterial Obstruction Quantification in Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism?

To assess interobserver variability between a trained radiology technician (RT) and an experienced radiologist in arterial obstruction quantification using the Qanadli obstruction index (QOI), in patients diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) at CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA). A RT and a radiologist independently reviewed CTPAs of 97 consecutive, prospectively enrolled patients with APE, and calculated the QOI. They classified patients into three risk categories: high for QOI ≥40%, intermediate for QOI 20-37.

Association between computed tomography obstruction index and mortality in elderly patients with acute pulmonary embolism: A prospective validation study.

Introduction: Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) has not only become the method of choice for diagnosing acute pulmonary embolism (PE), it also allows for risk stratification of patients with PE. To date, no study has specifically examined the predictive value of CTPA findings to assess short-term prognosis in elderly patients with acute PE who are particularly vulnerable to adverse outcomes.

Methods: We studied 291 patients aged ≥65 years with acute symptomatic PE in a prospective multicenter cohort.

Tip malposition of peripherally inserted central catheters: a prospective randomized controlled trial to compare bedside insertion to fluoroscopically guided placement.

Objective: Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) use continues to increase, leading to the development of a blind bedside technique (BST) for placement. The aim of our study was to compare the BST with the fluoroscopically guided technique (FGT), with specific regard to catheter tip position (CTP).

Materials And Methods: One hundred eighty patients were randomized to either the BST or the FGT.

Percutaneous endovascular management of chronic superior vena cava syndrome of benign causes : long-term follow-up.

Background: The vast majority of superior vena cava (SVC) syndromes are of malignant causes, but with growing use of indwelling central catheters and implanted cardiac devices, benign SVC syndromes are becoming more frequent. The main objective of this study is to evaluate long term outcome in patients treated for benign SVC syndrome by endovascular techniques.

Methods: Forty-four patients, 26 men and 18 women, mean age 56, treated for benign SVC syndrome using endovascular techniques between 2002 and 2015 were included.

Endovascular treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Principles: To assess the efficiency and complication rates of vaso-occlusion of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) in Rendu-Osler-Weber disease (hereditary haemorrhagic telangectasia; HHT).

Methods: Seventy-two patients were investigated in our institution for HHT between March 2000 and November 2011. Sixteen presented PAVMs (22.

Prevalence of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Patients Suspected for Pulmonary Embolism or Acute Aortic Syndrome: Rationale for the Triple Rule-Out Concept.

Background: The aims of the study were to evaluate the prevalence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among patients presenting with atypical chest pain who are evaluated for acute aortic syndrome (AAS) or pulmonary embolism (PE) with computed tomoangiography (CTA) and discuss the rationale for the use of triple rule-out (TRO) protocol for triaging these patients.

Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of patients presenting with atypical chest pain and evaluated with thoracic (CTA), for suspicion of AAS/PE. Two physicians reviewed patient files for demographic characteristics, initial CT and final clinical diagnosis.

Percutaneous endovascular salvage techniques for implanted venous access device dysfunction.

Purpose: Implanted venous access devices (IVADs) are often used in patients who require long-term intravenous drug administration. The most common causes of device dysfunction include occlusion by fibrin sheath and/or catheter adherence to the vessel wall. We present percutaneous endovascular salvage techniques to restore function in occluded catheters.