Catheter Directed Therapy in Intermediate Risk Pulmonary Embolism Patients

Aim of the work:

1. To compare conventional medical therapy versus catheter-directed therapy in intermediate high risk acute pulmonary embolism.
2. To define predictors of progression from intermediate to high-risk in medically-treated patients for ideal timing for intervention.

Based on history, physical examination, surface 12-lead ECG, bed-side echocardiography, patients with a high probability of acute pulmonary embolism are selected and subjected to CT pulmonary angiography to confirm the diagnosis and calculate the pulmonary artery obstruction score.

Routine labs are withdrawn, including cardiac troponin.Methods:

Detailed TTE will be done with emphasis on the following indicators of RV strain and/or dysfunction:

1. Echocardiography findings that are indicative of RV dysfunction

   * tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)
   * S' Velocity
   * the McConnell's sign
2. RV dilation
3. interventricular septal flattening.
4. elevated right ventricular pressures
5. plethoric inferior vena cava
6. tricuspid regurgitation
7. Direct visualization of thromboembolic in the RT heart and PA
8. RV stroke volume measured by RVOT VTI.
9. LV stroke volume measured by LVOT VTI Intermediate-high risk patient will be identified (based on the calculated pulmonary embolism severity index, RV dysfunction on TTE and/or CT, cardiac troponin), and then randomized to either receiving conventional medical treatment or catheter-directed interventional therapy if the patient consents.

7. Catheter directed therapy

A. Mechanical embolectomy:

Mechanical fragmentation will be done using a 6 F pigtail catheter inserted inside the thrombus guided by the CTPA images.

Hydro-mechanical defragmentation (HMD) is one of the CDT modalities for high-risk PE patients, in which rapid pigtail rotation is combined with heparinized saline injection for thrombus fragmentation.(4)

B. Suction embolectomy:

Suction embolectomy was one of the earliest techniques for transcatheter treatment of PE, and was introduced by Greenfield et al, using a 12-Fr catheter with a cup on its distal end. Suction was applied manually to the catheter hub with a large syringe. (13) The Penumbra Indigo aspiration system (Penumbra Inc., Alameda, CA, USA) that will be used, is an 8-Fr device and its associated tubing, pump, and separator, has the flexibility for placement in segmental branches of the pulmonary arteries. The Indigo aspiration system is indicated for use in the peripheral arterial system and the pulmonary arteries, receiving U.S. Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance for PE in December 2019.(14)

C. Catheter directed thrombolysis:

Catheter-directed thrombolysis allows delivery of the thrombolytic agent directly to the area of highest embolic burden via a catheter.

Intermediate-high risk patient will be identified (based on the calculated pulmonary embolism severity index, RV dysfunction on TTE and/or CT, cardiac troponin), and then randomized to either receiving conventional medical treatment or catheter-directed interventional therapy if the patient consents.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Acute pulmonary embolism patients (confirmed by CT pulmonary angiography \[CTPA\])
* symptoms started within 15 days of enrollment
* intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism patients , i.e., who have all of the following risk indicators combined :(2) i.Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) class III-V or sPESI ≥1, ii.AND RV dysfunction on TTE or CTPA, iii.AND elevated cardiac troponin levels
* with none of the following high-risk presentations: cardiac arrest, systolic blood pressure \<90 mmHg, or vasopressors required to achieve a BP ≥90 mmHg despite an adequate filling status, or end-organ hypoperfusion.

Exclusion Criteria:

* high risk patients who are hemodynamically unstable (cardiogenic shock, SBP \<90 mmHg, or use of intotropic support).
* low risk patients with no RV dysfunction.
* Patients with history of CTEPH (or previous acute PE)
* Patients known to have other pulmonary hypertension, apart from group IV (CTEPH).
* Patients with sever kidney injury (eGFR \<30 mg/dl/1.7m2).