A normal computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) remains a controversial criterion for ruling out acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with a likely clinical probability. We set out to determine the risk of VTE and fatal PE after a normal CTPA in this patient category and compare these risk to those after a normal pulmonary angiogram of 1.7 % (95 %CI 1.0-2.7 %) and 0.3 % (95 %CI 0.02-0.7 %). A patient-level meta-analysis from 4 prospective diagnostic management studies that sequentially applied the Wells rule, D-dimer tests and CTPA to consecutive patients with clinically suspected acute PE. The primary outcome was the 3-month VTE incidence after a normal CTPA. A total of 6,148 patients were included with an overall PE prevalence of 24 %. The 3-month VTE incidence in all 4,421 patients in whom PE was excluded at baseline was 1.2 % (95 %CI 0.48-2.6) and the risk of fatal PE was 0.11 % (95 %CI 0.02-0.70). In patients with a likely clinical probability the 3-month incidences of VTE and fatal PE were 2.0 % (95 %CI 1.0-4.1 %) and 0.48 % (95 %CI 0.20-1.1 %) after a normal CTPA. The 3-month incidence of VTE was 6.3 % (95 %CI 3.0-12) in patients with a Wells rule >6 points. In conclusion, this study suggests that a normal CTPA may be considered as a valid diagnostic criterion to rule out PE in the majority of patients with a likely clinical probability, although the risk of VTE is higher in subgroups such as patients with a Wells rule >6 points for which a closer follow-up should be considered.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1160/TH17-02-0076 | DOI Listing |
Allergy Asthma Proc
January 2025
From the Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California and.
Since its first description more than a decade ago, our understanding of the clinical impact of hereditary alpha-tryptasemia has continued to evolve. First considered to be a genetic disorder with a subset of patients having a syndromic presentation composed of connective tissue abnormalities, symptoms of autonomic dysfunction, and findings of mast cell activation, we now know that hereditary alpha-tryptasemia is a common genetic trait and modifier of mast cell-mediated reactions. More recent studies have shown some previously held associations with congenital hypermobility and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) to be lacking, and illuminated previously unappreciated associations with clonal and nonclonal mast cell disorders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAllergy Asthma Proc
January 2025
From the Section of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Medicine and Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University School of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania and.
Patients with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) can be refractory to standard antimediator therapy. Alternative treatment options to reduce disease burden and improve quality of life are needed. To compile the evidence that supports the use of omalizumab for patients with refractory MCAS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAllergy 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
Perioperative anaphylaxis is a serious entity with high morbidity and mortality. Perioperative anaphylaxis can be caused by any of the multitude of medications and substances used in anesthesia and surgery, and the most common causes include neuromuscular blocking agents, antibiotics, antiseptics, latex, and dyes. The differential diagnosis of perioperative anaphylaxis is wide from both an immunologic and a nonimmunologic standpoint.
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.
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