Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: Current Perspectives and Future Directions

Submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) lies on a spectrum of disease severity between standard and high-risk disease. By definition, patients with submassive PE have a worse outcome than the majority of those with standard-risk PE, who are hemodynamically stable and lack imaging or laboratory features o...

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Main Authors: Phillip C. Nguyen, Hannah Stevens, Karlheinz Peter, James D. McFadyen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
Series:Journal of Clinical Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/15/3383
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author Phillip C. Nguyen
Hannah Stevens
Karlheinz Peter
James D. McFadyen
author_facet Phillip C. Nguyen
Hannah Stevens
Karlheinz Peter
James D. McFadyen
author_sort Phillip C. Nguyen
collection DOAJ
description Submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) lies on a spectrum of disease severity between standard and high-risk disease. By definition, patients with submassive PE have a worse outcome than the majority of those with standard-risk PE, who are hemodynamically stable and lack imaging or laboratory features of cardiac dysfunction. Systemic thrombolytic therapy has been proven to reduce mortality in patients with high-risk disease; however, its use in submassive PE has not demonstrated a clear benefit, with haemodynamic improvements being offset by excess bleeding. Furthermore, meta-analyses have been confusing, with conflicting results on overall survival and net gain. As such, significant interest remains in optimising thrombolysis, with recent efforts in catheter-based delivery as well as upcoming studies on reduced systemic dosing. Recently, long-term cardiorespiratory limitations following submassive PE have been described, termed post-PE syndrome. Studies on the ability of thrombolytic therapy to prevent this condition also present conflicting evidence. In this review, we aim to clarify the current evidence with respect to submassive PE management, and also to highlight shortcomings in current definitions and prognostic factors. Additionally, we discuss novel therapies currently in preclinical and early clinical trials that may improve outcomes in patients with submassive PE.
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spelling doaj.art-7ec3732ab0da4e81a2ff2f6c6208845b2023-11-22T05:49:58ZengMDPI AGJournal of Clinical Medicine2077-03832021-07-011015338310.3390/jcm10153383Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: Current Perspectives and Future DirectionsPhillip C. Nguyen0Hannah Stevens1Karlheinz Peter2James D. McFadyen3Department of Haematology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3181, AustraliaDepartment of Haematology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3181, AustraliaAtherothrombosis and Vascular Biology, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, AustraliaDepartment of Haematology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3181, AustraliaSubmassive pulmonary embolism (PE) lies on a spectrum of disease severity between standard and high-risk disease. By definition, patients with submassive PE have a worse outcome than the majority of those with standard-risk PE, who are hemodynamically stable and lack imaging or laboratory features of cardiac dysfunction. Systemic thrombolytic therapy has been proven to reduce mortality in patients with high-risk disease; however, its use in submassive PE has not demonstrated a clear benefit, with haemodynamic improvements being offset by excess bleeding. Furthermore, meta-analyses have been confusing, with conflicting results on overall survival and net gain. As such, significant interest remains in optimising thrombolysis, with recent efforts in catheter-based delivery as well as upcoming studies on reduced systemic dosing. Recently, long-term cardiorespiratory limitations following submassive PE have been described, termed post-PE syndrome. Studies on the ability of thrombolytic therapy to prevent this condition also present conflicting evidence. In this review, we aim to clarify the current evidence with respect to submassive PE management, and also to highlight shortcomings in current definitions and prognostic factors. Additionally, we discuss novel therapies currently in preclinical and early clinical trials that may improve outcomes in patients with submassive PE.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/15/3383pulmonary embolismsubmassive
spellingShingle Phillip C. Nguyen
Hannah Stevens
Karlheinz Peter
James D. McFadyen
Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: Current Perspectives and Future Directions
Journal of Clinical Medicine
pulmonary embolism
submassive
title Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: Current Perspectives and Future Directions
title_full Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: Current Perspectives and Future Directions
title_fullStr Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: Current Perspectives and Future Directions
title_full_unstemmed Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: Current Perspectives and Future Directions
title_short Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: Current Perspectives and Future Directions
title_sort submassive pulmonary embolism current perspectives and future directions
topic pulmonary embolism
submassive
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/15/3383
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AT hannahstevens submassivepulmonaryembolismcurrentperspectivesandfuturedirections
AT karlheinzpeter submassivepulmonaryembolismcurrentperspectivesandfuturedirections
AT jamesdmcfadyen submassivepulmonaryembolismcurrentperspectivesandfuturedirections