Simplified diagnostic management of suspected pulmonary embolism (the YEARS study): a prospective, multicentre, cohort study.

Background: Validated diagnostic algorithms in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism are often not used correctly or only benefit subgroups of patients, leading to overuse of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). The YEARS clinical decision rule that incorporates differential D-dimer cutoff values at presentation, has been developed to be fast, to be compatible with clinical practice, and to reduce the number of CTPA investigations in all age groups. We aimed to prospectively evaluate this novel and simplified diagnostic algorithm for suspected acute pulmonary embolism.

Patients with chronic gastrointestinal ischemia have a higher cardiovascular disease risk and mortality.

Objectives: We determined the prevalence of classical risk factors for atherosclerosis and mortality risk in patients with CGI.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted. Patients referred with suspected CGI underwent a standard work-up including risk factors for atherosclerosis, radiological imaging of abdominal vessels and tonometry.