Purpose: To retrospectively assess the correlation between pulmonary arterial obstruction index (PAOI) and right lateral ventricular wall thickness with in-hospital mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.
Methods: CT angiography (CTA) of 55 consecutive patients (30 males; 25 females; mean age ± SD, 59 ± 11 years) with proven acute pulmonary embolism was investigated. PAOI was determined according to the Qanadli score on CTA. Right ventricular lateral wall thickness was also measured, and patients' in-hospital mortality was recorded. The correlation between PAOI and mortality, right ventricular lateral wall thickness and mortality, and PAOI and right ventricular lateral wall thickness was evaluated.
Results: PAOI was 23.6 and 10.4 in patients with and without in-hospital mortality, respectively (P < 0.001). Right ventricular lateral wall thickness was 8.7 mm and 7.5 mm in patients with and without in-hospital mortality, respectively (P < 0.001). PAOI more than 21.5 and right ventricular lateral wall thickness more than 8.75 were predictive of in-hospital mortality with a high accuracy. Also, PAOI and right ventricular lateral wall thickness had a significant correlation with each other (P < 0.001; r = 0.695).
Conclusion: PAOI and right ventricular lateral wall thickness on CTA were highly predictive of in-hospital mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism. Right ventricular lateral wall thickness and PAOI had a significant correlation with each other as well.
Keywords: Angiography; CT; Chest; Embolism; Pulmonary artery obstruction index.