Evaluation of Risk Stratification Markers and Models in Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Rationale and Design of the MARS-PE (Mainz Retrospective Study of Pulmonary Embolism) Study Programme.

An acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a crucial event in patients' life and connected with serious morbidity and mortality. Regarding a high case-fatality rate, early and accurate risk-stratification is crucial. Risk for mortality and complications are closely related to hemodynamic stability and cardiac adaptations.

D-Dimer and thrombus burden in acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Thrombus burden in pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with higher D-Dimer-levels and poorer prognosis. We aimed to investigate i) the influence of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and high-risk PE-status on D-Dimer-levels and ii) effectiveness of D-Dimer to predict RVD in normotensive PE patients.

Methods: Overall, 161 PE patients were analyzed retrospectively, classified in 5 subgroups of thrombus burden according to clinical indications and compared regarding D-Dimer-levels.

Renal function as a cofactor for risk stratification and short-term outcome in acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: In addition to right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) and myocardial injury, impaired renal function is connected with poorer prognosis in pulmonary embolism (PE). We aimed to investigate renal function as a cofactor for risk stratification in PE.

Methods: Data from 182 patients with PE, treated between May 2006 and June 2011, were analysed retrospectively.

Syncope and collapse in acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Syncope and collapse (=presyncope) are 2 symptoms of pulmonary embolism (PE), which are suspected of being connected with poorer outcome, regardless of haemodynamic instability. However, pathomechanisms are not completely understood. We aimed to investigate these pathomechanisms in regard to blood pressure and heart rate of syncope/collapse in PE.

Right bundle branch block and SIQIII-type patterns for risk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism.

Introduction: Risk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is crucial for identification of patients with poor prognosis. We aimed to investigate the ECG alterations of right bundle branch block (RBBB) and SIQIII-type patterns for risk stratification in acute PE.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective analysis of PE patients, treated in the Internal Medicine Department, was performed.

Impact of cancer on the effectiveness of cardiac Troponin I to predict right ventricular dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are connected with a poor outcome in cancer patients. We aimed to investigate the impact of cancer on the effectiveness of cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) to predict right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in acute PE.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 182 patients with confirmed PE.

Blood pressure for outcome prediction and risk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism.

Introduction: Risk stratification of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is crucial in deciding appropriate therapy management. Blood pressure (BP) is rapidly available and a reliable parameter. We aimed to investigate BP for short-term outcome in acute PE.

The risk factor age in normotensive patients with pulmonary embolism: Effectiveness of age in predicting submassive pulmonary embolism, cardiac injury, right ventricular dysfunction and elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure in normotensive pulmonary embolism patients.

Introduction: Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), submassive pulmonary embolism (PE), elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP), elevated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and old age are well-known risk factors for poor outcome in acute normotensive PE. The aim of this analysis was to calculate age cut-off values to predict submassive PE, cardiac injury, RVD and elevated sPAP in normotensive PE patients.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical, laboratory, radiological and echocardiographic data of normotensive PE patients (2006-2011) was performed.

D-dimer for risk stratification in haemodynamically stable patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Purpose: Patients with submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) have a higher short-term mortality than those with low-risk PE. Rapid identification of submassive PE is important for adequate treatment of non-massive PE. We aimed to investigate the utility of D-dimer for the prediction of submassive PE stadium in normotensive PE patients.

Impact of advanced age on the severity of normotensive pulmonary embolism.

The prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) increases progressively with age. Less data about the impact of increasing age on the severity of PE are available. The objectives of this study were to investigate the impact of increasing age on the severity of normotensive PE.

Right ventricular dysfunction in hemodynamically stable patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Echocardiography for risk stratification in hemodynamically stable patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) is well-established. Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) is associated with an elevated mortality and adverse outcome. The aim of our study was to compare RVD criteria and investigate the role of elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) in the diagnosis of RVD.