Ultrasound-facilitated, Catheter-directed, Thrombolysis in Intermediate-high Risk Pulmonary Embolism

Overview

About this study

The purpose of this study is to compare two treatment options that are both available on the market for the treatment of PE. 

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria:
-Age 18-80 years, inclusive
-Objectively confirmed acute PE, based on computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) showing a filling defect in at least one main or proximal lobar pulmonary artery
-Elevated risk of early death/hemodynamic collapse, indicated by at least two of the following new-onset clinical criteria:

1. ECG-documented tachycardia with heart rate ≥100 beats per minute, not due to hypovolemia, arrhythmia, or sepsis;
2. SBP ≤ 110 mm Hg for at least 15 minutes;
3. respiratory rate > 20 x min-1 or oxygen saturation on pulse oximetry (SpO2) < 90% (or partial arterial oxygen pressure < 60 mmHg) at rest while breathing room air;

-Right-to-left ventricular (RV/LV) diameter ratio ≥ 1.0 on CTPA
-Serum troponin I or T levels above the upper limit of normal
-Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:
-Hemodynamic instability*, i.e. at least one of the following present:

1. cardiac arrest or need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
2. need for ECMO, or ECMO initiated before randomization
3. PE-related shock, defined as: (i) SBP < 90 mmHg, or vasopressors required to achieve SBP ≥ 90 mmHg, despite an adequate volume status; and (ii) end-organ hypoperfusion (altered mental status; oliguria/anuria; increased serum lactate);
4. isolated persistent hypotension (SBP < 90 mmHg, or a systolic pressure drop by at least 40 mmHg for at least 15 minutes), not caused by new-onset arrhythmia, hypovolemia, or sepsis * Patients who presented with temporary need for fluid resuscitation and/or low-dose catecholamines may be included, provided that they could be stabilized within 2 hours of admission and maintain SBP of ≥ 90 mmHg and adequate organ perfusion without catecholamine infusion.

-Need for admission to an intensive care unit for a reason other than the index PE episode. NB: Patients who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 can be enrolled where the investigator believes that the pulmonary embolism is the dominant pathology in the patient's clinical presentation and qualifying cardiorespiratory parameters.
-Temperature above 39 degrees C / 102.2 degrees F
-Logistical reasons limiting the rapid availability of interventional procedures to treat acute PE (e.g., during the outbreak of an epidemic)
-Index PE symptom duration > 14 days
-Active bleeding
-History of intracranial or intraocular bleeding at any time
-Stroke or transient ischemic attack within the past 6 months, or previous stroke at any time if associated with permanent disability
-Central nervous system neoplasm, or metastatic cancer
-Major neurologic, ophthalmologic, abdominal, cardiac, thoracic, vascular or orthopedic surgery or trauma (including syncope-associated with head strike or skeletal fracture) within the past 3 weeks
-Platelet count < 100 x 109 x L-1
-Patients who have received a once-daily therapeutic dose of LMWH or a therapeutic dose of fondaparinux within 24 hours prior to randomization
-Patients who have received one of the direct oral anticoagulants apixaban or rivaroxaban within 12 hours prior to randomization
-Patients who have received one of the direct oral anticoagulants dabigatran or edoxaban for the index PE episode, as these drugs are not approved for patients who have not received heparin for at least 5 days
-Administration of a thrombolytic agent or a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist during the current hospital stay and/or within 30 days, for any reason
-Chronic treatment with antiplatelet agents other than low-dose acetylsalicylic acid or clopidogrel 75 mg once daily (but not both). Dual antiplatelet therapy is excluded.
-Chronic treatment with a direct oral anticoagulant (apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban or rivaroxaban)
-Chronic treatment with a vitamin K antagonist, or known coagulopathy including severe hepatic dysfunction, with an International Normalized Ratio (INR) > 1.5
-Pregnancy or lactation
-Previous inclusion in the study
-Known hypersensitivity to alteplase, LMWH or UFH, or to any of the excipients
-Life expectancy less than 6 months

Note: Other protocol defined Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria may apply.

Eligibility last updated 06/07/2024. Questions regarding updates should be directed to the study team contact.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status Contact

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Arashk Motiei

Closed for enrollment

Contact information:

Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD)

(507) 284-4256

More information

Publications

  • Risk scores used in early warning systems exist for general inpatients and patients with suspected infection outside the intensive care unit (ICU), but their relative performance is incompletely characterized. Read More on PubMed
  • The aim of this study was to determine the lowest optimal tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) dose and delivery duration using ultrasound-facilitated catheter-directed thrombolysis (USCDT) for the treatment of acute intermediate-risk (submassive) pulmonary embolism. Read More on PubMed
  • We sought to estimate the efficacy and safety outcomes of catheter-directed treatment (CDT) for patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Read More on PubMed
  • The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has proposed an updated risk stratification model for death in patients with acute pulmonary embolism based on clinical scores (Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) or simplified PESI (sPESI)), right ventricle dysfunction (RVD) and elevated serum troponin (2014 ESC model).We assessed the ability of the 2014 ESC model to predict 30-day death after acute pulmonary embolism. Consecutive patients with symptomatic, confirmed pulmonary embolism included in prospective cohorts were merged in a collaborative database. Patients' risk was classified as high (shock or hypotension), intermediate-high (RVD and elevated troponin), intermediate-low (RVD or increased troponin or none) and low (sPESI 0). Study outcomes were death and pulmonary embolism-related death at 30 days.Among 906 patients (mean±sd age 68±16, 489 females), death and pulmonary embolism-related death occurred in 7.2% and 4.1%, respectively. Death rate was 22% in "high-risk" (95% CI 14.0-29.8), 7.7% in "intermediate-high-risk" (95% CI 4.5-10.9) and 6.0% in "intermediate-low-risk" patients (95% CI 3.4-8.6). One of the 196 "low-risk" patients died (0.5%, 95% CI 0-1.0; negative predictive value 99.5%).By using the 2014 ESC model, RVD or troponin tests would be avoided in about 20% of patients (sPESI 0), preserving a high negative predictive value. Risk stratification in patients at intermediate risk requires further improvement. Read More on PubMed
  • We update recommendations on 12 topics that were in the 9th edition of these guidelines, and address 3 new topics. Read More on PubMed
  • Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious medical condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and an incidence that is expected to double in the next forty years. The advent of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has catalyzed significant changes in the therapeutic landscape of VTE treatment. As such, it is imperative that clinicians become familiar with and appropriately implement new treatment paradigms. This manuscript, initiated by the Anticoagulation Forum, provides clinical guidance for VTE treatment with the DOACs. When possible, guidance statements are supported by existing published evidence and guidelines. In instances where evidence or guidelines are lacking, guidance statements represent the consensus opinion of all authors of this manuscript and are endorsed by the Board of Directors of the Anticoagulation Forum.The authors of this manuscript first developed a list of pivotal practical questions related to real-world clinical scenarios involving the use of DOACs for VTE treatment. We then performed a PubMed search for topics and key words including, but not limited to, apixaban, antidote, bridging, cancer, care transitions, dabigatran, direct oral anticoagulant, deep vein thrombosis, edoxaban, interactions, measurement, perioperative, pregnancy, pulmonary embolism, reversal, rivaroxaban, switching, \thrombophilia, venous thromboembolism, and warfarin to answer these questions. Non- English publications and publications > 10 years old were excluded. In an effort to provide practical information about the use of DOACs for VTE treatment, answers to each question are provided in the form of guidance statements, with the intent of high utility and applicability for frontline clinicians across a multitude of care settings. Read More on PubMed
  • Systemic thrombolysis for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) carries up to a 20% risk of major bleeding, including a 2% to 5% risk of hemorrhagic stroke. We evaluated the safety and effectiveness of catheter-directed therapy (CDT) as an alternative treatment of acute PE. Read More on PubMed
  • This study conducted a prospective, single-arm, multicenter trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-facilitated, catheter-directed, low-dose fibrinolysis, using the EkoSonic Endovascular System (EKOS, Bothell, Washington). Read More on PubMed
  • Thrombolytic therapy induces faster clot dissolution than anticoagulation in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) but is associated with an increased risk of haemorrhage. We reviewed the risks and benefits of thrombolytic therapy in the management of patients with acute PE. Read More on PubMed
  • The role of fibrinolytic therapy in patients with intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism is controversial. Read More on PubMed
  • In patients with acute pulmonary embolism, systemic thrombolysis improves right ventricular (RV) dilatation, is associated with major bleeding, and is withheld in many patients at risk. This multicenter randomized, controlled trial investigated whether ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis (USAT) is superior to anticoagulation alone in the reversal of RV dilatation in intermediate-risk patients. Read More on PubMed
  • Early warning scores (EWS) are recommended as part of the early recognition and response to patient deterioration. The Royal College of Physicians recommends the use of a National Early Warning Score (NEWS) for the routine clinical assessment of all adult patients. Read More on PubMed
  • In acute pulmonary embolism (PE), overt right ventricular (RV) failure with cardiogenic shock indicates a poor prognosis. However, normotensive patients with acute RV dysfunction on echocardiography or computed tomography and with myocardial troponin elevation may also have an adverse outcome. Thrombolysis rapidly reverses RV pressure overload in PE, but it remains unclear whether it may improve the early and long-term clinical outcome of selected normotensive patients. Read More on PubMed
  • Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is responsible for the hospitalization of >250 000 Americans annually and represents a significant risk for morbidity and mortality. Despite the publication of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to aid in the management of VTE in its acute and chronic forms, the clinician is frequently confronted with manifestations of VTE for which data are sparse and optimal management is unclear. In particular, the optimal use of advanced therapies for acute VTE, including thrombolysis and catheter-based therapies, remains uncertain. This report addresses the management of massive and submassive pulmonary embolism (PE), iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (IFDVT),and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The goal is to provide practical advice to enable the busy clinician to optimize the management of patients with these severe manifestations of VTE. Although this document makes recommendations for management, optimal medical decisions must incorporate other factors, including patient wishes, quality of life, and life expectancy based on age and comorbidities. The appropriateness of these recommendations for a specific patient may vary depending on these factors and will be best judged by the bedside clinician. Read More on PubMed
  • Even though quality of life (QoL) has become a key component of medical care, there is no instrument available that specifically measures QoL after pulmonary embolism (PE). Recently, the Pulmonary Embolism Quality of Life (PEmb-QoL) Questionnaire has been developed to address this gap. Read More on PubMed
  • To test the hypothesis that right enlargement assessed from right ventricular/left ventricular (RV/LV) dimension ratios of computed tomographic (CT) angiograms are equivalent irrespective of whether measured on axial views or reconstructed 4-chamber views. Read More on PubMed
  • Summary. A variety of definitions of major bleeding have been used in published clinical studies, and this diversity adds to the difficulty in comparing data between trials and in performing meta-analyses. In the first step towards unified definitions of bleeding complications, the definition of major bleeding in non-surgical patients was discussed at the Control of Anticoagulation Subcommittee of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Arising from that discussion, a definition was developed that should be applicable to studies with all agents that interfere with hemostasis, including anticoagulants, platelet function inhibitors and fibrinolytic drugs. The definition and the text that follows have been reviewed and approved by the cochairs of the subcommittee and the revised version is published here. The intention is to also seek approval of this definition from the regulatory authorities. Read More on PubMed
  • We investigated the prognostic role of right ventricular enlargement on multidetector-row chest CT in acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Read More on PubMed
  • The relative efficacy of streptokinase and tissue plasminogen activator and the roles of intravenous as compared with subcutaneous heparin as adjunctive therapy in acute myocardial infarction are unresolved questions. The current trial was designed to compare new, aggressive thrombolytic strategies with standard thrombolytic regimens in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. Our hypothesis was that newer thrombolytic strategies that produce earlier and sustained reperfusion would improve survival. Read More on PubMed
  • A 36-item short-form (SF-36) was constructed to survey health status in the Medical Outcomes Study. The SF-36 was designed for use in clinical practice and research, health policy evaluations, and general population surveys. The SF-36 includes one multi-item scale that assesses eight health concepts: 1) limitations in physical activities because of health problems; 2) limitations in social activities because of physical or emotional problems; 3) limitations in usual role activities because of physical health problems; 4) bodily pain; 5) general mental health (psychological distress and well-being); 6) limitations in usual role activities because of emotional problems; 7) vitality (energy and fatigue); and 8) general health perceptions. The survey was constructed for self-administration by persons 14 years of age and older, and for administration by a trained interviewer in person or by telephone. The history of the development of the SF-36, the origin of specific items, and the logic underlying their selection are summarized. The content and features of the SF-36 are compared with the 20-item Medical Outcomes Study short-form. Read More on PubMed
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CLS-20597166

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