Use of the STEMI Team for Treatment of Patients With Pulmonary Embolism: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with massive and submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) require rapid identification, triage, and consideration for reperfusion therapy. Use of an existing ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) team and activation protocol may be an effective means to care for these patients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this analysis was to evaluate a pilot study using the STEMI team and a dedicated PE protocol for treatment of patients with massive and submassive PE.

METHODS: From June 2014 to April 2016, a total of 40 patients with massive and submassive PE were evaluated. Baseline demographics, mode of hospital entry (transfer-in, in-hospital, and emergency department [ED] arrival), treatment time intervals (door to computed tomography PE protocol [CTPE], CTPE to invasive pulmonary angiogram, door to treatment time), procedures performed, and in-hospital clinical events were collected.

RESULTS: Mean age was 56 ± 14 years, 17 (42%) were male, and 12 (30%) had a prior history of deep venous thrombosis or PE. Twenty-three patients (57%) had massive PE and 17 patients (43%) had submassive PE. Mode of hospital entry was transfer-in (38%), in-hospital (20%), and ED arrival (42%). Four patients (10%) presented with cardiac arrest, 8 patients (20%) required intubation, and 5 patients (12%) required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Ten patients (25%) received anticoagulation therapy or placement of inferior vena cava filter, 3 patients (7.5%) received diagnostic pulmonary angiography alone, and 27 patients (67.5%) received endovascular treatment. For patients arriving via the ED, door to CTPE was 4.9 ± 3.6 hours, CTPE to diagnostic pulmonary angiography was 7.8 ± 8.5 hours, and door to treatment time was 10.2 ± 9.0 hours. Endovascular devices utilized included combinations of rheolytic and other thrombectomy devices as well as catheter-directed fibrinolysis. Length of hospital stay was 15 ± 15 days and in-hospital survival rate was 90%.

CONCLUSIONS: Use of an existing STEMI team and activation protocol is a feasible method to care for patients with massive and submassive PE. This pilot study demonstrated rapid treatment times with low in-hospital mortality.