Prospective evaluation of two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in emergency department patients with suspected pulmonary embolism

Acad Emerg Med. 2000 Sep;7(9):994-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2000.tb02090.x.

Abstract

Objective: To prospectively examine the diagnostic accuracy of two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2-D echo) in emergency department (ED) patients being evaluated for acute pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods: This was a 14-month prospective observational trial of a convenience sample of ED patients undergoing evaluation for suspected PE at a suburban teaching hospital. The 2-D echo was defined as positive if any two of the following were noted: right ventricular dilation, abnormal septal motion, loss of right ventricular contractility, elevated pulmonary artery or right ventricular pressures, moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation, or visualization of a clot seen in the right ventricle or pulmonary artery. The patient was considered to have a PE if one of the following was positive: a pulmonary angiogram, contrast helical computed tomography, a magnetic resonance angiogram, a high-probability ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan without contradictory evidence, or an intermediate-probability V/Q scan with ultrasonic evidence of deep venous thrombosis.

Results: Of 225 cases identified, 39 met the defined criteria for PE (17%). A 2-D echo was performed on 124 patients (55%), of whom 27 (22%) had PE. In 20 patients the 2-D echo had at least two indicators of right ventricular strain; however, only 11 of these patients had confirmed pulmonary embolus. The 2-D echo had a sensitivity of 0.41 (95% CI = 0.32 to 0.49) and a specificity of 0.91 (95% CI = 0.86 to 0.96). The likelihood ratio positive was a moderately strong 4.4, with a weak likelihood ratio negative of 0.6.

Conclusions: Bedside 2-D echo is not a sensitive test for the diagnosis of PE in ED patients. Positive findings moderately increase the suspicion for PE but are not diagnostic.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Ultrasonography