Pulmonary Embolism Acute
Conditions
Brief summary
Pulmonary embolism (PE) can reduce blood flow in the lungs and impair gas exchange, leading to lower end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂) levels. This prospective observational study aims to evaluate whether EtCO₂ can help identify high-risk and intermediate-high-risk patients and monitor early treatment response, especially during thrombolytic therapy. A total of 120 participants were included: high-risk PE, intermediate-high-risk PE patients who received thrombolysis, intermediate-high-risk PE patients treated only with anticoagulation, and healthy controls. The study measured EtCO₂ along with oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate, perfusion index, and radiological obstruction scores. By comparing these parameters at diagnosis and during the first 24 hours, the study seeks to determine whether EtCO₂ can serve as a simple, noninvasive marker of disease severity and early hemodynamic improvement in patients with acute PE.
Interventions
OTHERthrombolytic therapy
Participants received standard clinical management according to current pulmonary embolism guidelines. No intervention was assigned by the investigators.
Sponsors
Ataturk University
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Inclusion criteria
Adults aged 18 years or older Diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism confirmed by CT pulmonary angiography (for PE groups) Classified as high-risk or intermediate-high-risk pulmonary embolism according to ESC/ERS 2019 guidelines Ability to provide informed consent For healthy control group: no history of cardiopulmonary disease, coagulation disorders, or acute medical illness
Exclusion criteria
Known chronic respiratory diseases significantly affecting EtCO₂ measurement (e.g., advanced COPD, severe asthma, chronic respiratory failure) Active infection, sepsis, or acute complications of malignancy Prior thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism Anatomical or technical limitations preventing reliable nasal capnography Pregnancy Individuals younger than 18 years Inability or refusal to provide informed consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide (EtCO₂) Level at Diagnosis | At baseline (within first 1 hour of diagnosis) | EtCO₂ level measured in mmHg using nasal capnography at the time of diagnosis to assess its ability to identify high-risk and intermediate-high-risk pulmonary embolism and to predict the need for thrombolytic therapy. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed