Presentation, Management and Outcomes of Pediatric Pulmonary Embolus: A Retrospective Review

To review the presentation, management, and outcomes of pediatric pulmonary embolism (PE) patients treated at a single institution over 10 years to determine whether laboratory findings and clinical presentation predict disease severity.

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients treated for PE in a 14-bed pediatric intensive care unit from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2018. Associations between clot burden and disease severity, clinical risk factors (body mass index, recent hospitalization, estrogen use), clinical presentation (heart rate, oxygen saturation), and laboratory values (white blood cell count, D-Dimer, troponin, proBNP) were performed using Student t test, χ2 tests, and 1-way analysis of variance. Patients were risk stratified by American Heart Association guidelines.

Eighteen (72%) patients (girls) were treated for PE. Common risk factors included recent hospitalization (67%) and oral contraceptives (62%). Risk factors, clinical presentation (including hypoxemia and tachypnea), and laboratory studies did not correlate with disease severity or clot burden. Electrocardiogram and radiographic findings were non-specific. Computer tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) was required to diagnose 94%. Sixteen received unfractionated heparin, and 5 required additional intervention. Risk factors, clinical features, and laboratory studies did not predict who required intervention.

Of 18 pediatric patients treated for PE at a single institution over 10 years, vital signs and laboratory data did not predict disease severity or clot burden, and CTPA was required for diagnosis in all but 1. Emergency room providers must have a high index of suspicion for diagnosis and cannot be reassured by normal electrocardiogram or plain film findings. At a time when pediatric providers are under pressure to minimize unnecessary radiation exposure, this lack of correlation of clinical presentation and laboratory findings highlights the importance of considering CTPA when PE is suspected.