BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and potentially life-threatening diagnosis when a certain amount of thrombotic mass obstructs blood flow through the pulmonary circulation. The finding of acute and subacute ischaemic foci on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain in a group of patients with this diagnosis in whom we demonstrate the presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) by transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is surprisingly high. METHODS: A total of 129 patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (confirmed by computed tomography with contrast agent, CTA) who consented to further examination were examined by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with contrast agent, underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the brain according to a specific protocol, and underwent a comprehensive baseline laboratory examination. RESULTS: In our group of 129 patients, we found the presence of PFO in 36.4% (n=47) of them. A total of 5.4% (n=7) patients had asymptomatic acute and subacute ischaemic changes on brain MRI; 6 of them had concomitant PFO. The statistically significant correlation between troponin levels and the presence of pathological findings on MRI and the trend of a similar correlation for NT-proBNP values is also very interesting finding. CONCLUSIONS: The association between the presence of PFO and the occurrence of symptomatic or asymptomatic findings on brain MRI is a well-known fact (the issue of paradoxical embolism) but the high frequency of acute and subacute lesions on brain MRI in the group of patients with a diagnosis of acute PE is surprising.

• Klíčová slova
• paradoxical embolism, patent foramen ovale, pulmonary embolism, stroke,
• MeSH
• akutní nemoc MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• echokardiografie transezofageální MeSH
• echokardiografie MeSH
• foramen ovale apertum * komplikace   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• incidence MeSH
• ischemie mozku diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• magnetická rezonanční tomografie * MeSH
• plicní embolie * diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic performance and interobserver agreement of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in the detection of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and its features among radiologists of different levels of experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective, single-center, single-blinded study, three radiologists with different levels of experience in CT imaging (R1:15 years, R2:6 years, and R3:3 years) evaluated CTPA of 51 patients ultimately diagnosed with CTEPH (European Society of Cardiology guidelines) and 49 patients without CTEPH in random order to assess the presence of CTEPH, its features in the pulmonary artery tree, proximal level of involvement, bronchial artery hypertrophy, mosaic perfusion, and right heart overload. RESULTS: CTPAs of 51 patients with CTEPH (median age, 66 years (IQR 56-72), 28 men) and 49 patients without CTEPH (median age, 65 years (IQR 50-74), 25 men) were evaluated. The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of CTEPH was 100% (all radiologists) and 100% (R1), 96% (R2), and 96% (R3) with almost perfect agreement (κ = 0.95). The sensitivity and specificity for detecting CTEPH by mosaic perfusion would be 89% (95%CI 83-93%) and 81% (74-87%). The level of pulmonary artery involvement was reported with moderate agreement (κ = 0.54, 95%CI 0.40-0.65). Substantial agreement was found in the evaluation of mosaic attenuation (κ = 0.75, 95%CI 0.64-0.84), right heart overload (κ = 0.68, 95%CI 0.56-0.79), and bronchial artery hypertrophy (0.71, 95%CI 0.59-0.82) which were the best predictors of CTEPH (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: CTPA has high sensitivity and specificity in detecting CTEPH and almost perfect agreement among radiologists of different levels of expertise. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: CT pulmonary angiography can be used as a first-line imaging modality in patients with suspected chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) even when interpreted by non-CTEPH experts. KEY POINTS: • CT pulmonary angiography has high sensitivity and specificity in detecting chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and almost perfect interobserver agreement among radiologists of different levels of expertise. • Substantial agreement exists in the assessment of mosaic attenuation, right heart overload, and bronchial artery hypertrophy, which are the best predictors of CTEPH.

• Klíčová slova
• Computed tomography angiography, Pulmonary arterial hypertension, Pulmonary artery, Pulmonary embolism,
• MeSH
• angiografie metody   MeSH
• chronická nemoc MeSH
• hypertrofie MeSH
• jednoduchá slepá metoda MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• plicní embolie * komplikace   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• plicní hypertenze * komplikace   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• počítačová rentgenová tomografie metody   MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

AIM: To investigate the feasibility of semiautomatic quantification of mosaic perfusion and the associations between mosaic perfusion on computed tomography (CT; the ratio of hypoperfused parenchyma to the whole lung volume) and haemodynamic parameters through linear regression analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight consecutive patients (mean age 66 years, 28 females) diagnosed with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in General University Hospital, Prague, in 2021 were evaluated retrospectively and underwent both right heart catheterisation and CT pulmonary angiography. The parameters derived from the CT examinations were correlated with the recorded haemodynamic parameters. RESULTS: A method was developed for semiautomatic detection of hypoperfused tissue from CT using widely available software and a statistically significant correlation was found between the proportion of hypoperfused parenchyma and the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP; R2 0.22; p<0.01) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR; R2 0.09; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The developed method facilitates the quantification of mosaic perfusion, which is associated with important haemodynamic parameters (mPAP and PVR) in patients with CTEPH.

• MeSH
• chronická nemoc MeSH
• hemodynamika MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci cév * komplikace   MeSH
• perfuze MeSH
• plíce diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• plicní embolie * komplikace   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• plicní hypertenze * diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

OBJECTIVES: To examine the diagnostic performance of CT of the pulmonary artery (CTPA) as a potential first-choice imaging modality in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and suspected chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA reporting checklist. Six scientific databases and registers (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov ) were searched for studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of CTPA in suspected CTEPH in adult patients. Results were pooled separately for studies based on the evaluation of the pulmonary artery and those that relied solely on changes in parenchymal perfusion. RESULTS: Ten single-center studies with 734 patients were eligible for pooling of the diagnostic performance of CTPA by evaluation of the pulmonary artery. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, accuracy, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) estimates for CTPA in the detection of CTEPH were 0.98, 0.99, 0.94, 1.00, 0.96, 0.96, and 292. Evaluation of perfusion changes yielded pooled estimates for sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, accuracy, and DOR of 0.99, 0.84, 0.79, 0.98, 0.89, 0.89, and 98 across four studies with 278 patients. Scintigraphy, SPECT, digital subtraction angiography, right heart catheterization, pulmonary endarterectomy, and international guidelines were used to establish the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: CTPA has high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of CTEPH when the examination is evaluated by expert radiologists. Evaluation of parenchymal perfusion alone is associated with slightly lower specificity. Further research is needed to determine the diagnostic performance of CTPA in excluding CTEPH in general radiology departments. KEY POINTS: • CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is recommended in the diagnostic workup of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). • CTPA has high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of CTEPH when evaluated by an expert radiologist. • Evaluation of changes in parenchymal perfusion alone is associated with slightly lower specificity. • Little is known about the diagnostic performance of CTPA in the detection of CTEPH in general radiology departments.

• Klíčová slova
• Computed tomography angiography, Meta-analysis, systematic review, Pulmonary arterial hypertension, Pulmonary embolism,
• MeSH
• chronická nemoc MeSH
• CT angiografie metody   MeSH
• digitální subtrakční angiografie MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• plicní embolie * komplikace   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• plicní hypertenze * diagnóza   MeSH
• senzitivita a specificita MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• metaanalýza MeSH
• systematický přehled MeSH

Patent foramen ovale is a persisting communication between the left and right atrium, present in approximately 25% of population, usually asymptomatic. Under normal conditions there is either no blood flow or a hemodynamically nonsignificant left-to-right shunt between the atria. However, increased right atrium pressure, as it is in pulmonary embolism, can make PFO a right-to-left shunt and poses a risk of paradoxical systemic embolism, including the risk of ischemic stroke. Here we report a case of a patient presenting with venous thromboembolism provoked by a recent polytrauma. We identified a large thrombus stuck in patent foramen ovale - an impending paradoxical embolism. Both surgical intervention and systemic thrombolysis were contraindicated so the patient was administered an anticoagulation treatment with unfractionated heparin and warfarin. By frequent echocardiography we were able to monitor complete resolution of the thrombus by 6 months from the diagnosis, with no systemic embolism.

• Klíčová slova
• Pulmonary embolism, anticoagulation, impending paradoxical embolism, patent foramen ovale, pulmonary embolism,
• MeSH
• foramen ovale apertum * komplikace   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• heparin MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• paradoxní embolie * komplikace   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• plicní embolie * diagnostické zobrazování   etiologie   MeSH
• trombóza * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• Názvy látek
• heparin MeSH

AIM: The analysis of the correlation between D-dimer and positive finding of pulmonary embolism on CT-angiography. Determination of the cut-off value of D-dimers, which would lead to a reduction in the number of examinations on CT-angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who had positive D-dimer values in their blood tests and were examined using CT-angiography were included in the analysis. The relationship between the D-dimer value and the finding of pulmonary embolism on CT-angiography was analyzed. The analysis included 91 consecutive patients (46 women, 64,5 ± 18,8 years) examined from December 2019 to January 2020. RESULTS: The mean value of D-dimers in patients with proven pulmonary embolism on CT was statistically significantly higher than in patients without embolism (7,46 vs 2,93 mg/l; p < 0,001). Of the total number of patients examined on CT, pulmonary embolism was confirmed in 21 (23 %). We did not show a statistically significant difference in the incidence of pulmonary embolism in one sex (52 % female vs 48 % male; p = 1,000), nor the relationship between age and the incidence of pulmonary embolism (64,2 vs 64,5 years; p = 0,981). Based on ROC analysis, we determined a high probability of negative CT-angiography at the value of D-dimers up to 1,7 mg/l (negative predictive value 95,7 %). We also determined the value of D-dimers 3,5 mg/l, from which the probability of pulmonary embolism on CT is high (specificity 81,4 %). CONCLUSION: Based on a retrospective analysis of patients with measured values of D-dimers and objectification of the finding of pulmonary embolism on CT-angiography, we demonstrated a very low probability of pulmonary embolism at D-dimer values up to 1,7 mg/l. We also showed that at values above 3,5 mg/l, the probability of pulmonary embolism is high.

• Klíčová slova
• CT-angiography, D-dimer, Pulmonary embolism, pulmonary embolism,
• MeSH
• CT angiografie MeSH
• fibrin-fibrinogen - produkty degradace * analýza   MeSH
• incidence MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• plicní embolie * diagnostické zobrazování   epidemiologie   MeSH
• prediktivní hodnota testů MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• fibrin fragment D MeSH Prohlížeč
• fibrin-fibrinogen - produkty degradace * MeSH

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Assessment of appropriateness of CT pulmonary angiograms (CTPA) in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) is based on risk stratification algorithms such as simplified the Geneva Score (sGS) in combination with D-dimer blood tests. The aim of this study was to validate the diagnostic yield and appropriateness of CTPA examinations in accordance with 2014 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 155 outpatients who underwent CTPA for clinical suspicion of PE were gathered from the radiology information system (RIS) and the clinical information system (CIS). We assessed the presence of sGS items and D-dimer blood test results in RIS from CTPA request forms and from clinical documentation in CIS. RESULTS: Based on the RIS, there were 2.6% patients with high (sGS≥3) and 97.4% patients with low pre-test PE probability (sGS<3), and CTPA indication was formally comprehendible in 75.5% using sGS and D-dimer blood tests. Based on RIS and CIS data in combination, there were 41.3% patients with high and 58.7% patients with low pre-test PE probability, and CTPA indication was formally comprehendible in 88.4%. Using RIS and CIS in combination, PE probability was upgraded from low to high probability in 39.7% compared with RIS alone. In 12.9%, there was a lack of data in RIS for CTPA justification. CONCLUSION: There is a high diagnostic yield when applying current diagnostic guidelines to our data. There was however a notable discrepancy between the data transferred to the CTPA request forms from the full clinical documentation, therefore not readily available for clinical decision making.

• Klíčová slova
• CT examination justification, CT pulmonary angiography, D-Dimers, acute pulmonary embolism, clinical decision making, diagnostic guidelines,
• MeSH
• CT angiografie * MeSH
• fibrin-fibrinogen - produkty degradace analýza   MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• plicní embolie krev   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• směrnice pro lékařskou praxi jako téma MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• validační studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• fibrin fragment D MeSH Prohlížeč
• fibrin-fibrinogen - produkty degradace MeSH

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to retrospectively assess using computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for predicting residual pulmonary hypertension (RPH) in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 131 patients with CTEPH who underwent PEA in our center (2008-2015). We measured several diameters of the pulmonary artery and thoracic aorta preoperatively. We evaluated the relationship between these measurements (and their indices) and signs of RPH represented by pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) estimated by echocardiography. RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed between the aortopulmonary index and prediction of any residual hypertension and moderate/severe hypertension 1 year after PEA, and any residual hypertension and severe hypertension 2 years after PEA. The aortopulmonary index was significantly related to a reduction in PASP 1 year after the operation. A lower aortopulmonary index (≤0.88 for the ascending aorta and ≤0.64 for the descending aorta) predicted lower RPH. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative CTPA parameters can be used to assess the risk of RPH after PEA. The aortopulmonary index has significant predictive value for RPH and a reduction in PASP after PEA. Lower values of the aortopulmonary index suggest a better outcome after PEA.

• Klíčová slova
• Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, aortopulmonary index, computed tomography angiography, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, pulmonary endarterectomy, residual pulmonary hypertension,
• MeSH
• angiografie MeSH
• arteria pulmonalis diagnostické zobrazování   chirurgie   MeSH
• chronická nemoc MeSH
• endarterektomie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• plicní embolie * diagnostické zobrazování   chirurgie   MeSH
• plicní hypertenze * diagnostické zobrazování   chirurgie   MeSH
• prognóza MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

A male patient with a history of immobilization due to motor weakness, was transferred to our emergency department after syncope during physiotherapy, with recorded hypotension. Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe dilatation of the right ventricle (RV), with apex hypercontractility and almost akinetic RV free wall. The above findings, in addition to the unexpected visualization of a large, free-floating, right atrial thrombus, a rare finding associated with high mortality, readily confirmed the clinical suspicion of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) causing circulatory collapse. Intravenous fibrinolysis and vasopressor therapy were successfully administered, and hemodynamic instability was soon alleviated.

• Klíčová slova
• Bedside echocardiography, Fibrinolysis, Pulmonary embolism, Right heart thrombus,
• MeSH
• echokardiografie MeSH
• fibrinolýza MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci srdce * MeSH
• plicní embolie * diagnostické zobrazování   farmakoterapie   MeSH
• trombóza * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Thromboembolic disease is the third most common cardiovascular disorder and deep vein thrombosis carries the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE). Questions related to reperfusion after PE remain, especially risk factors. Incomplete reperfusion after PE is closely related to the development of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between reperfusion after PE in the long term over a period of 24 months, laboratory results and clinical risk factors found during the initial PE event. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 85 consecutive patients with a first episode of acute PE, diagnosed at 4 cardiology clinics, were followed up using clinical evaluation, scintigraphy and echocardiography (6, 12 and 24 months after the PE. 35 patients were in the low risk category (41%), 42 (49%) in the intermediate risk group and 8 (9%) in the high risk category. RESULTS: Perfusion defects persisted in 20 patients (26%) after 6 months, in 19 patients (25%) after 12 months and in 14 patients (19%) after 24 months. The incidence was more frequent in older patients, with more serious (higher risk) PE, increased right ventricular internal diameter during the initial episode, and more significant tricuspid insufficiency in the initial echocardiography. Notably, higher hemoglobin levels were also shown as a significant risk factor. The presence of perfusion defects after 24 months correlated with a concurrent higher pulmonary pressure but not with either patient function or adverse events (recurrence of PE, re-hospitalization or bleeding). In 3 cases (4% of patients), long-term echocardiographic evidence of pulmonary hypertension was detected. CONCLUSION: Even after 24 months from acute PE with adequate anticoagulation treatment, incomplete reperfusion was found in 19% of patients with a corresponding risk of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease and hypertension.

• Klíčová slova
• incomplete reperfusion, pulmonary embolism, risk factor,
• MeSH
• antikoagulancia terapeutické užití   MeSH
• CT angiografie MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• echokardiografie MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• multimodální zobrazování MeSH
• následné studie MeSH
• perfuzní zobrazování MeSH
• plicní embolie diagnostické zobrazování   farmakoterapie   MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• reperfuze metody   MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• trombolytická terapie metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antikoagulancia MeSH