TAPSE or right-to-lleft ventricle diameter ratio at echocardiography to predict death in patients with acute pulmonary embolism: a meta-analysis

Abstract Background Right ventricle (RV) dysfunction at echocardiography is a recognized predictor of death or clinical deterioration in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). However, the best predictor of death among echo parameters of RV dysfunction is unknown. Purpose This meta-analysis is aimed at assessing the role of individual parameter of RV dysfunction at echocardiography to predict all-cause short-term death in patients with acute PE. Methods OVID was searched between 1993 and January 2020 for studies i) including patients with confirmed acute PE; ii) reporting on RV assessment at echocardiography at admission; iii) reporting on short-term all-cause or PE-related death. The primary study outcome is short-term (30 days or in-hospital) all-cause mortality. Results We report here on the role of tricuspid annular plane excursion (TAPSE) and right-to-left ventricle diameter ratio (RV/LV) at echocardiography as predictors of short-term death in patients with acute PE. TAPSE. Abnormal TAPSE at echocardiography was associated with increased risk for short-term death in all-comers with acute PE (eight studies; 3298 patients; RR 2.78 CI 95% 0.53–14.63; Figure 1) and in hemodynamically stable patients (six studies; 3013 patients; RR 2.76 CI 95% 1.44–5.30 I2 58%). The association is confirmed for different cut-off values of TAPSE (≥15mm or any cut-off value >15mm). RV/LV. In eight studies reporting on continuous measures, the difference between mean right and left ventricle diameter at echocardiography in patients who died vs those who survived ranged from 0.02 to 0.3 mm. Abnormal RV/LV ratio at echocardiography was not associated with increased risk for short-term death in all-comers with acute PE (six studies; 2292 patients; RR 1.48 CI 95% 0.43–5.08), nor in hemodynamically stable patients (four studies; 1014 patients; RR 1.20 CI 95% 0.72–1.99, I2=0%). Conclusion Abnormal TAPSE is associated with short-term death in patients with acute PE. In these patients, the prognostic role of RV/LV diameter ratio as stand-alone parameter of RV dysfunction at echocardiography remains unclear. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1. Association between TAPSE and all-cause