‘Concerning’ CT scans may cause unnecessary hospitalization for some pulmonary embolism patients

Some pulmonary embolism patients may be hospitalized unnecessarily due to CT imaging results rather than clinical risk factors, a study finds. Roughly half of the low risk patients had CT imaging features that physicians consider “concerning”, and these patients fared just as well in the hospital as those whose CT scans showed no concerning findings.

Despite new decision rules, angiography still frequently used to diagnose low risk pulmonary embolism in the ED

An analysis of persons admitted to the emergency department (ED) for suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) and evaluated using computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) has found that despite recent rules to limit its use, clinicians have instead increased the use of CPTA as well as increasing diagnoses of PEs and especially low-risk PEs. The analysis is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Complications for procedure to open clogged pulmonary arteries decrease significantly

Complications after a minimally invasive balloon pulmonary angioplasty have decreased substantially over the last decade for patients with high blood pressure in their pulmonary arteries caused by chronic blood clots, known as CTEPH. The procedure, which is offered for patients who are not candidates for surgery, involves inflating a balloon inside of diseased lung arteries to break up clots and restore blood flow to the lungs.

Mayo Clinic study provides clarity on use of anticoagulants in gastrointestinal cancers

A study by Mayo Clinic researchers provides some clarity in the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), such as apixaban and rivaroxaban, to treat acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with gastrointestinal cancers. The findings were published Wednesday, June 2, in Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Research News Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins Medicine

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Johns Hopkins Medicine Media Relations is focused on disseminating current, accurate and useful information to the public via the media. As part of that effort, we are distributing our “COVID-19 Tip Sheet: Story Ideas from Johns Hopkins” every other Tuesday.

Ultrasounds Show Impact of COVID-19 on the Heart

International study may guide therapeutic strategies in patients with and without underlying heart conditions

CRF Will Hold Free Online Seminar on Heart Disease Warning Signs

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) will hold a free online seminar, “Get Heart Smart,” on August 24 hosted by Drs. Nisha Jhalani and Ajay Kirtane, renowned academic cardiologists from NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. The seminar, part of a series of “Mini Med Schools” conducted by the CRF Women’s Heart Health Initiative, will focus on common heart disease symptoms, when to talk to your doctor, and when to seek emergency care.

Pulmonary Embolism and COVID-19

Researchers at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit say early diagnosis of a life-threatening blood clot in the lungs led to swifter treatment intervention in COVID-19 patients.

In a new study published recently in the journal Radiology, researchers found that 51 percent of patients found to have a pulmonary embolism, or PE, were diagnosed in the Emergency Department, the entry point for patients being admitted to the hospital.

Treating Pulmonary Embolism: How Safe and Effective Are New Devices?

A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association identifies the risks and benefits of using novel interventional devices compared to anticoagulation alone to treat patients with pulmonary embolism.