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A Porcine Model of Acute Autologous Pulmonary Embolism
Published on: September 6, 2024
Endothelin is not elevated in acute pulmonary embolism.
Maciej Kostrubiec1, Justyna Pedowska-Włoszek, Michał Ciurzyński
1Department of Internal Medicine & Cardiology, The Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. maciej.kostrubiec@wum.edu.pl
Thrombosis Research
|January 10, 2009
Summary
Plasma endothelin levels are not elevated in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) upon admission and do not appear to be a significant indicator for risk stratification or predicting adverse events in the acute phase.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) involves increased pulmonary vascular resistance, influenced by thrombus load and neurohormonal responses.
- Elevated endothelin is noted in pulmonary arterial hypertension, but its role in APE requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate plasma endothelin concentration in patients with confirmed APE.
- To assess the potential value of endothelin levels in risk stratification for APE patients.
Main Methods:
- Studied 55 patients with confirmed APE and 24 healthy controls.
- Measured plasma endothelin concentrations on admission.
- Assessed right ventricular (RV) function using echocardiography.
Main Results:
- Endothelin concentrations were similar between APE patients and controls (p = NS).
- No significant differences in endothelin levels were found based on RV dysfunction or adverse events.
- Endothelin levels did not correlate with key clinical or echocardiographic parameters.
Conclusions:
- Plasma endothelin concentrations on admission are not elevated in APE patients.
- Endothelin does not appear to play a major role in the acute increase of pulmonary artery pressure during APE, unlike in chronic conditions.
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