Caples, Sean M.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Systemic thrombolysis is recommended for high-risk PE, but risk of major bleeding limits its use despite its efficacy. While mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has emerged as an alternative reperfusion strategy, real-world safety data remains limited. The objective of this single-center retrospective observational cohort study was to characterize the safety profile and procedural complications of MT. Methods Adult patients with intermediate-risk and high-risk PE who underwent MT at a quaternary academic medical center between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2024, were included. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging, procedural, outcome, and mortality data were collected. Major adverse events and bleeding were defined according to established criteria. Results From a total of 103 screened patients, 65 were included. Of these, 22 (34%) were classified as high-risk and 43 (66%) as intermediate-risk. Baseline demographics were similar between groups. High-risk patients demonstrated greater clinical disease severity, with higher mean Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) scores (188.5 vs 122.4). Clinical deterioration prior to MT occurred in 35% of intermediate-risk patients. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) consultation rate (32% vs 7%), peri-procedural ECMO use (18% vs 2.3%), major bleeding (27% vs 4.7%), and in-hospital mortality (36% vs 11.6%) were higher in the high-risk group. Thrombus removal was achieved in 77% and 88% of high- and intermediate-risk patients, respectively. High-risk patients had longer ICU (mean 4 vs 1.3 days) and hospital stays (mean 21.5 vs 6.4 days), higher thirty-day mortality (36% vs 14%), and lower 90-day survival (59% vs 79%). Conclusions MT achieved high rates of thrombus removal in both groups. In this retrospective cohort, high-risk patients had greater baseline clinical severity and was associated with higher bleeding rates, greater resource utilization, including ECMO consultation and peri-procedural use, prolonged ICU and hospital stays, as well as increased mortality.

IMPORTANCE: Aggressive fluid resuscitation remains a cornerstone of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guidelines, but there is growing controversy regarding the recommended 30 mL/kg IV fluid dosage. It is contended that, in selected patients, this volume confers an increased risk of volume overload without either concomitant benefit or strong evidence in support of the recommended IV fluid dosage. OBJECTIVES: Assessment of practice patterns and their impact on patient outcomes following the surviving sepsis guidelines for fluid resuscitation. DESIGN: Large, multisite retrospective cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The retrospective study included all adult patients who presented to the emergency department at one of 19 different Mayo Clinic sites throughout the Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest from August 2018 to November 2020 with suspected sepsis. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Eight-thousand four-hundred fourteen patients suspected to have sepsis were assessed regarding fluid resuscitation and outcomes among patients receiving 30 mL/kg IV fluid dosing compared with patients who did not. Patient demographics and clinical information were collected via electronic health records. Patients were divided into two cohorts: those who received 0–29.9 mL/kg of IV fluid and those who received 30.0+ mL/kg of IV fluid. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of fluid dose on in-hospital death, 30-day mortality, ICU admission after diagnosis, dialysis initiation after diagnosis, ventilator use, vasopressor use, as well as ICU and hospital length of stay. RESULTS: We observed lower in-hospital mortality and 30-day mortality risk in the 30+ mL/kg dosing group. Increased fluid dosage did, however, carry a much greater chance of ICU admission. Most patients (72% after propensity score weighting) in our population received less than 30 mL/kg fluid (based on ideal body weight). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: IV fluid dosing for sepsis resuscitation greater than 30 mL/kg was associated with decreased risk of in-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality, and reduced risk of requiring mechanical ventilation. Our data does ultimately seem to support the SSC recommendation.