Identical diagnostic algorithms for suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) are used for hospitalized patients and outpatients, while D-dimer levels, risk factors and pre-test probability for PE differ, and the percentage of patients managed without computerized tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is lower in hospitalized patients. We aimed to improve the efficiency of the diagnostic algorithm by increasing the threshold of the D-dimer, the threshold of the Wells rule and by adjustments of the Wells rule. Six-hundred and twenty-four hospitalized patients from two previously performed management studies with a PE prevalence of 26% were studied. Adjustments were considered to be safe when the failure rate remained <2%. By applying standard management, 8% (49/624) were managed without CTPA with a failure rate of 0·0% (0/49; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0·0-7·3), and it was 1·7% (8/465; 95%CI 0·8-3·4) for all patients in whom PE was excluded at baseline. All evaluated adjustments resulted in an increase of the failure rate with very small improvements of the efficiency. Given these potentially small improvements and the increasing complexity of clinical practice if adjusted diagnostic algorithms for specific patient categories were introduced, we do not recommend further evaluation of any of the adjustments; we recommend that the standard diagnostic algorithm should continue to be applied.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bjh.13090 | DOI Listing |
Allergy Asthma Proc
January 2025
Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Health Sciences University, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Cutaneous mastocytosis (CM) is the most common type of mastocytosis in children. The atopy frequency in these patients is typically similar to that in the general population, but a higher incidence of anaphylaxis is reported. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of allergic diseases in children diagnosed with CM and its impact on clinical manifestations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAllergy Asthma Proc
January 2025
2nd Respiratory Department, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece.
Remission of asthma can occur as part of the natural history of the disease; however, the use of biologics can result in disease remission in some patients. In this post hoc analysis of the RELIght study, we aimed to evaluate clinical remission in real life among patients treated with mepolizumab, to detect possible differences between "remitters" and "nonremitters," and to evaluate possible predictors of remission. Clinical remission was defined as the absence of asthma exacerbations, discontinuation of oral corticosteroids (OCS), achievement of asthma control (Asthma Control Test [ACT] ≥ 20), and stable or improved lung function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAllergy Asthma Proc
January 2025
Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
To evaluate the association of parenteral epinephrine and terbutaline use on ventilatory support in children admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with critical asthma in the United States. Data were obtained from the Pediatric Health Information System data base for children ages 2 to 18 years admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of asthma exacerbation from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2023. The primary outcomes included noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and/or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) use after receipt of terbutaline and/or epinephrine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImplement Sci Commun
December 2024
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
Background: Doulas, non-clinical professionals who provide support throughout the perinatal period, can positively impact patient experiences and clinical outcomes during birth. Doulas often support hospital-based births without being employed by the hospital system, resulting in varied relationships with hospitals and clinicians. Systems-level changes are needed to maximize collaboration between hospitals and doulas to ensure facilitation of, and not barriers to, doula support.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Med Res
December 2024
Department of Intensive Care Unit, Affiliated With Inner Mongolia Medical University, Huhehaote, China.
Objective: High triglyceride (TG) levels are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Some recent studies have shown that snoring is also closely related to elevated TG levels. The specific pathogenesis of elevated TG levels in snoring patients is still unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!