[Management and prognosis of pulmonary embolism associated with right heart thrombi: A prospective study at the University Hospital Yalgado Ouédraogo].

OBJECTIVE

To describe the management and evolution of high risk of death pulmonary embolism associated with right heart thrombi.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort survey over a 54 month-period, from March 1st, 2012 to September 30th 2015. Were included all patients with pulmonary embolism and having high or intermediate-high risk of death. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether cardiac Doppler-echography found a thrombus in the right chambers or not (ICT+ vs. ICT-). The survival curves for the patients were obtained using the software STATA.

RESULTS

The prevalence of pulmonary embolism associated with right heart thrombi was 4% in our study. Thrombi were mobile, straight localization in all cases. The ICT+group was characterized by a significantly higher proportion of congestive heart and chronic lung disease. The proportion of patients' thrombolysis was significantly higher in the ICT-group. In the ICT+group, thrombolysis significantly reduced mortality giving a 30-day survival of 80% against 20% among patients receiving only heparin.

CONCLUSION

Pulmonary embolism associated with right heart thrombi including the atrium are not exceptional. These patients are at high risk of early death. Thrombolysis is significantly improving the mortality of pulmonary embolism associated with right-sided heart thrombi.