Pulmonary embolism (PE) represents the third leading cause of cardiovascular mortality. The technological landscape for management of acute intermediate- and high-risk PE is rapidly evolving. Two interventional devices using pharmacomechanical means to recanalize the pulmonary arteries have recently been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration for marketing, and several others are in various stages of development. The purpose of this document is to clarify the current state of endovascular interventional therapy for acute PE and to provide considerations for evidence development for new devices that will define which patients with PE would derive the greatest net benefit from their use in various clinical settings. First, definitions and limitations of commonly used risk stratification tools for PE are reviewed. An adjudication of risks and benefits of available interventional therapies for PE follows. Next, considerations for optimal future evidence development in this field are presented in the context of the current US regulatory framework. Finally, the document concludes with a discussion of the pros and cons of the rapidly expanding PE response team model of care delivery.

Interventional Therapies for Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Current Status and Principles for the Development of Novel Evidence: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

This article is a comprehensive document on the diagnosis and management of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), which was commissioned by the working group ‘Hypertension and the Kidney’ of the European ...

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1358863X18821816

First International Consensus on the diagnosis and management of fibromuscular dysplasia.

Stroke is a leading cause of death among women in the United States, and women are more affected by stroke than men. With women living longer than men, women experience not only a higher incidence of stroke but also more negative outcomes. Despite its lethal impact and high morbidity rate, the road from innovative bench research to improved clinical outcomes has been slow. This review explores the differential physiology, epidemiology, and clinical presentation of stroke between men and women, as well as the current status of laboratory and clinical data.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1358863X16668263

Sex differences in stroke: Review of current knowledge and evidence.

This article is a comprehensive document on the diagnosis and management of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) which was commissioned by the Working Group ‘Hypertension and the Kidney’ of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and the Society for Vascular Medicine (SVM). This document updates previou

First international consensus on the diagnosis and management of fibromuscular dysplasia

Treatment strategies for complex patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) are often debated given patient heterogeneity, multitude of available treatment modalities, and lack of consensus guidelines. Although multidisciplinary Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams (PERT) are emerging to address this lack of consensus, their impact on patient outcomes is not entirely clear. This analysis was conducted to compare outcomes of all patients with PE before and after PERT availability. We analyzed all adult patients admitted with acute PE diagnosed on computed tomography scans in the 18 months before and after the institution of PERT at a large tertiary care hospital. Among 769 consecutive inpatients with PE, PERT era patients had lower rates of major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (17.0% vs 8.3%, p = 0.002), shorter time-to-therapeutic anticoagulation (16.3 hour vs 12.6 hour, p = 0.009) and decreased use of inferior vena cava filters (22.2% vs 16.4%, p = 0.004). There was an increase in the use of thrombolytics/catheter-based strategies, however, this did not achieve statistical significance (p = 0.07). There was a significant decrease in 30-day/inpatient mortality (8.5% vs 4.7%, p = 0.03). These differences in outcomes were more pronounced in intermediate and high-risk patients (mortality 10.0% vs 5.3%, p = 0.02). The availability of multidisciplinary PERT was associated with improved outcomes including 30-day mortality. Patients with higher severity of PE seemed to derive most benefit from PERT availability.

Impact of Multidisciplinary Pulmonary Embolism Response Team Availability on Management and Outcomes.

Management of intermediate and high risk acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is challenging. The role of multidisciplinary teams for the care of these patients is emerging. Herein, we report our experience with a pulmonary embolism response team (PERT). We conducted a retrospective chart review on all patients admitted to the Cleveland Clinic main campus who required activation of the (PERT) from October 1, 2014 to September 1, 2016. We extracted data pertaining to clinical presentation, bleeding complications, and pre- and post-discharge imaging. Patients were classified as low, intermediate or high risk PE. Descriptive and continuous variables were collected and analyzed. There were 134 PERT activations. PE was confirmed by CT-PA in 118 patients. Fifteen (13%) patients were classified as low risk, 80 (68%) intermediate risk PE and 23 (19%) high risk PE. Fourteen (12%) patients were treated with catheter directed rtPA, 6 (5%) received full dose (100 mg rtPA), 16 (13%) received systemic half-dose (50 mg rtPA), 6 (5%) underwent a surgical embolectomy and 4 (3%) underwent mechanical thrombectomy. 65 (55%) patients received anticoagulation only, and 8 (7%) patients were managed conservatively without any anticoagulation or advanced therapy. 11 (9%) patients died while during the hospitalization. Fourteen patients had major bleeding events. There were no bleeding events among patients who received systemic low dose or full dose rtPA. A multidisciplinary approach to cases of intermediate risk and high risk PE can be implemented successfully. We saw a relatively low rate of bleeding events with use of rtPA.

A pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) approach: initial experience from the Cleveland Clinic

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common thrombotic event that is variable in its presentation. Depending on the patients' risk for mortality, guidelines provide several treatment strategies including thrombolysis, catheter-directed therapies, pulmonary embolectomy, anticoagulation, and inferior vena cava filters. However, there is considerable disagreement between guidelines regarding the optimal treatment strategy for patients, particularly for those with intermediate-risk PE. In order to provide rapid and individualized care, PE response teams (PERT) have been developed. These teams consist of members from different specialties with a particular interest in PE, varying technical skills, and clinical experience, thereby allowing for a multidisciplinary approach. PERT allows for consensus decision making, and for rapid intervention in patients whose conditions worsen. In this review, we provide an overview of treatment guidelines for PE, and of results from recent clinical trials involving patients with submassive PE. In addition, we discuss an outline of our approach and use of PERT.

Pulmonary embolism response teams

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is an arteriopathy of unknown etiology which has traditionally been associated with secondary hypertension; however, it has garnered increased attention in the cardiology field in the recent years because of its potential association with spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Cardiologists should be aware that FMD is a polyvascular disease which can affect any arterial bed and can result in morbid conditions such as chronic headaches, pulsatile tinnitus, stroke from cervical artery dissection, and renal infarction from renal artery dissection and has also been associated with increased prevalence of arterial aneurysm, including brain aneurysm. For these reasons, some experts recommend panvascular imaging from head-to-pelvis upon diagnosis for screening purposes and targeted imaging surveillance after diagnosis. When necessary, endovascular intervention with angioplasty alone is the preferred modality, though there are still situations which require surgical intervention. Patients with FMD may benefit from a multispecialty team approach for optimal treatment.

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Fibromuscular Dysplasia: An Update for Cardiologists

Presentation, clinical features, and results of intervention in upper extremity fibromuscular dysplasia

Workup revealed the patient had both arterial and venous thrombosis. What was the cause?

Maya Serhal

Papers

A pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) approach: initial experience from the Cleveland Clinic

Pulmonary embolism response teams

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Fibromuscular Dysplasia: An Update for Cardiologists

Presentation, clinical features, and results of intervention in upper extremity fibromuscular dysplasia

A 75-year-old with abdominal pain, hypoxia, and weak pulses in the left leg