PE and DVT

1. PE and DVT

2. Pathogenesis of VT • Virchow’s triad: • Damage to vessel wall • Venous stasis • Hypercoagulability

3. Source • Most PE’s originate from thrombi in the deep venous system of the legs, although they may also originate in the pelvic, renal or upper extremity veins. • HOWEVER, less than 30% of pts will have symptoms in their legs at the time of diagnosis of PE • 20% of calf vein thrombi propagate above the popliteal fossa. • 20% of lower extremity venous emboli begin in the proximal veins without prior calf involvement.

4. Acquired Risk Factors • Age • Previous thrombosis • Immobilization • Major surgery – especially Ortho • Estrogen – OCP, HRT, SERMs • Antiphospholipid Ab syndrome • Malignancy • Nephrotic syndrome • Inflammatory bowel disease • Myeloproliferative d/o – esp p. vera and ET • PNH • Long distance air travel • HIT

5. Inherited Risk Factors • Factor V Leiden mutation • G20210A prothrombin gene mutation • Antithrombin deficiency • Protein C or S deficiency • Dysfibrinogenemia • Hyperhomocysteinemia

6. Presentation • Dyspnea • Pleuritic chest pain • Cough +/- hemoptysis • On exam may have • Tachypnea • Tachycardia • S4 • Loud P2 • May have fever – rarely >102 • In massive PE can have hypotension and shock • Look at legs for swelling and Homan’s sign – but only helpful if positive.

7. Homan’s Sign • Passive dorsiflexion of the foot with the knee straight may give pain in the calf and back of the knee when there is a deep venous thrombosis. • Some concern that vigorous dorsiflexion of the foot can expel clot from the veins and so this test may have its dangers. • The sign is not specific for DVT

8. DDX swollen calf • DVT • Bakers Cyst • Cellulitis • Gout – if really bad it can sometimes look like a cellulitis • If bilateral think about CHF, Nephrotic syndrome, liver failure, venous insufficiency, pregnancy or pelvic mass, vasodilators esp nifedipine

9. ABG • Usually shows hypoxia, hypocapnia, respiratory alkalosis • A-a gradient: • Normal 7-14 depending on age • Increases with age, FiO2 and supine posture • Estimate of normal for age: • Age/4 +4 • A-a gradient = (FiO2 x713 – pCO2/0.8) – PaO2 • If A-a gradient normal, PaO2 <80, Pa CO2 >45 then hypoventilation accounts for hypoxia • Increased A-a gradient occurs in V/Q mismatch, shunting and any kind of barrier to diffusion (e.g. pulmonary edema) • BUT can be normal and still have PE!

10. Labs • Troponin, LDH, AST and BNP may all be elevated • Check baseline CBC, PT/PTT/INR, Cr • D-dimer • Normal D-dimer excludes PE, but positive D-Dimer is not helpful (as it can be positive in many conditions including sepsis, immobility, post Sx and CAP)

13. EKG • May have non specific ST and T wave changes • “Typical” SI, QIII, TIII - rare. • Sinus tachycardia • T wave inversions in right to mid chest leads • Poor R wave progression (acute RV dilation) • P pulmonale • RV conduction delays • Right axis shift

14. CXR • May have area of atelectasis • May have wedge shaped infarct peripherally • Pleural effusion occurs in about 40%

16. V/Q scanning • Look for evidence of ventilation perfusion mismatch • Can only really be done if pt has normal CXR • Normal scan virtually excludes PE even if pretest clinical probability was felt to be high. • If a patient with intermediate clinical probability of PE has an intermediate scan then need further testing

17. A 60-year-old man with asthma is evaluated in the emergency department because of the acute onset of chest pain while lifting a heavy object. The pain is sharp and accentuated by deep breathing and by movement of the upper extremities. It is located over the left precordium. • The physical examination and chest x-ray are normal. A ventilation-perfusion lung scan shows matched areas of perfusion and ventilation. • Which one of the following is the correct interpretation of the ventilation-perfusion lung scan? ( A ) Normal( B ) Low probability( C ) Indeterminate( D ) High probability

18. Correct Answer = A • The lung scan is normal, with matched perfusion and ventilation. This lung scan rules out a pulmonary embolism, and another source for the chest pain should be sought. Often asthma does complicate the interpretation of the lung scan, but the problem relates to matched defects in which the airway obstruction decreases the ventilation to an area of the lung. The consequent hypoxia in that area leads to reduction in blood flow in the same area. These areas are rarely segmental.

19. Doppler US of lower extremities • If high clinical suspicion should be repeated 7-10 days after initial scan as below knee DVT can propagate • Also remember that some pt develop DVT’s elsewhere – so you may not find a DVT in their legs if the source was their arm!

20. Spiral CT/CT angiogram • Used if CXR not normal • Picks up large central emboli but is less sensitive for the smaller peripheral emboli. • True pulmonary angiography rarely used now, though can do direct thrombolysis in massive PE.

22. Echo • More than 80% of pts with PE will have abnormalities of RV size or function, or TR. • McConnells sign – regional wall motion abnormalities that spare the R ventricular apex are very suggestive of PE • BUT echo is only really used for Dx of massive lifethreatening PE’s when rapid diagnosis is needed to determine whether thrombolysis should be given.

23. Treatment • Identify any contraindications to anticoagulations – if yes then IVC filter • Inquire about h/o HIT • If yes, then use direct thrombin inhibitor • Assess need for hospitalization • Extensive iliofemoral DVT with circ compromise • Increased risk of bleeding • Limited cardioresp reserve • Poor compliance • CI to LMW heparin

24. Treatment • Administer LMW heparin or unfractionated heparin • Goal 1.5-2.5 x PTT in first 24 hours • Check platelet count on day 3-5 • Treat at least five days and until patient’s INR is >2 on coumadin for two consecutive days • Start coumadin on day 1

25. Treatment Duration • 3-6 months in most patients • Indefinite treatment: • >1 spontaneous event • One spontaneous life threatening event • Antiphospholipid syndrome • Antithrombin deficiency • >1 genetic allelic abnormality • Homozygote for Factor V Leiden or prothrombin gene mutation • Heterozygote for both • Protein C/S deficiency • Continuing RF especially active advanced CA

26. Contraindications to Anticoagulation • Absolute • Active bleeding • Severe bleeding diathesis • Platelet count <20 • Neurosurgery, ocular surgery or intracranial bleeding within the past 10 days

27. Contraindications to Anticoagulation • Relative • Mild/moderate bleeding diathesis or thrombocytopenia • Brain mets • Major abdominal surgery within 2 days • GI or GU bleeding within 14 days • Endocarditis • Severe HTN (SBP >200, DBP > 120)

28. Inferior Vena Cava Filter • Reduce risk of PE but carry increased risk of DVT • Use in pts with DVT who cannot take anticoagulation e.g. due to bleeding risk • Also used with or without anticoagulation in patients with high risk of death should further PE occur.

29. Hypercoagulation Workup • Test all patients for unprovoked VT for antiphospholipid ab syndrome and hyperhomocysteinemia

30. Hypercoagulation Workup • Test for Factor V Leiden, prothrombin gene mutation and deficiencies of antithrombin, protein C/S in the following patients: • Family h/o VT • VT before the age of 50 • Recurrent VT • Thrombosis in an unusual site (mesenteric, renal, cerebral, hepatic) • Heparin resistance (antithrombin deficiency) • Warfarin induced skin necrosis (protein C/S def) • Neonatal purpura fulminans

31. Hypercoagulation Workup • Wait to check for deficiency in antithrombin, protein C or S until 2 weeks after anticoagulation rx is completed