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Biomedical subjects

C Giuntini

Publications and source records attributed to C Giuntini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Relationship between serum heat-stable neutrophil chemotactic activity during early airway reaction to allergen and the pattern of airway response (early versus late reactions) in asthmatic subjects.

In order to evaluate the relationship between allergen-induced heat-stable neutrophil chemotactic activity (HS-NCA) release during early asthmatic reaction (EAR) and the presence of a late asthmatic reaction (LAR), serum HS-NCA was measured at three serum dilutions (1:5, 1:40, 1:200) during EAR induced by allergen in 26 atopic asthmatics, 13 with isolated EAR and 13 with EAR followed by LAR. HS-NCA was measured using a 48-well microchamber with 5-micron-pore-size nitrocellulose filters, using isolated neutrophils from healthy donors and the leading front technique. Subjects with LAR developed EAR after inhalation of a lower dose of allergen than subjects with isolated EAR. Increase in serum HS-NCA during EAR was significantly higher in subjects with isolated EAR than in subjects with EAR plus LAR at the 1:5 dilution, while it was significantly higher in subjects with EAR plus LAR than in the subjects with isolated EAR at the 1:200 dilution; the 1:40 dilution gave similar results in both groups. Changes in serum HS-NCA during EAR significantly correlated with the maximum decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) during LAR: a higher decrease in FEV1 during LAR was associated with a lower increase in HS-NCA at the 1:5 dilution (Spearman's rho = 0.43, rho = 0.03), and with a higher increase in NCA at the 1:200 dilution (Spearman's p = -0.46, p = 0.02). These results can be explained by the 'high-dose-inhibition' phenomenon. Assuming that HS-NCA is associated with mast cell degranulation in the airways after allergen challenge, these findings demonstrate that higher mast cell activation during EAR is present in subjects with a subsequent LAR than in subjects with isolated EAR.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Plasma 3-nitrotyrosine in cigarette smokers.

Peroxynitrite has been associated with increased oxidative reactions and DNA damage in inflamed tissues as it may cause a reduction of plasma antioxidants as well. Nitration of tyrosine residues of proteins leads to the production of 3-nitrotyrosine (NTYR), which may be considered as a marker of NO.-dependent oxidative damage. We developed a highly sensitive method to detect NTYR in human plasma and tested it in cigarette smokers and in healthy control subjects. Peripheral venous blood (10 ml) was obtained in 20 healthy, asymptomatic cigarette smokers (13 males, 7 females; age: 49 +/- 11 yr) and in 18 healthy nonsmokers (10 males and 8 females; age: 36 +/- 6 yr). In smokers, plasma nicotine, cotinine, and expired CO levels were measured. NTYR was determined with a sequential HPLC/gas chromatography-thermal energy analysis (GC-TEA) technique. The total plasma Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) was also measured using metmyoglobin as peroxidase and a phenothiazine as a radical donor. NTYR was detectable (detection limit: 0.02 ng/injection) in 11 smokers (mean +/- SD: 1.60 +/- 1.24 ng/mg protein) and in two nonsmokers (1.10 and 1.20 ng/mg protein, respectively). NTYR was not associated with nicotine and cotinine levels or expired CO in smokers. Plasma TEAC in smokers was significantly lower (0.43 +/- 0.38 mM) than in nonsmokers (1.42 +/- 0.3 mM; p < 0.001) and showed a biphasic, negative relationship with NTYR (r = 0.96, p < 0.001). This highly sensitive HPLC/GC-TEA method for detection and quantitation of plasma NTYR may be used for monitoring oxidative reactions associated with tobacco smoking. This assay might be incorporated into molecular epidemiologic studies for lung chronic inflammatory and neoplastic disorders in which exposure to oxidants may be an important risk factor.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Comparison between peak expiratory flow and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) during bronchoconstriction induced by different stimuli.

To evaluate the sensitivity of peak expiratory flow (PEF), obtained by portable peak flow meter, in detecting mild changes in airway caliber as assessed by forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), we studied 184 subjects who underwent different bronchial challenge tests for suspected bronchial asthma. We measured FEV1 and PEF during bronchoconstriction induced by different stimuli: allergen, methacholine, toluene diisocyanate vapors, exercise, or distilled water inhalation; a total of 186 tests were examined. Before and at different times after challenge, FEV1 was measured, and immediately after, PEF was obtained by Mini-Wright or Assess Peak Flow Meter; each time FEV1 and PEF were taken as the best of three satisfactory tracings. The median FEV1 change from baseline value of all steps in the different challenge tests was 7.5% (range: 0-66%). The correlation coefficients between FEV1 and PEF percent changes in different challenge tests were low (Spearman's p: 0.27-0.69), with high scattering of the data. The concordance between classes of percent changes in FEV1 and PEF was also low (Cohen's weighted kappa: 0.28-0.42). In subjects with a FEV1 fall > 15% after challenge, the median PEF change after bronchoconstriction was lower than the corresponding FEV1 change [17% (0-52) vs. 27% (17-66)]. When different cutoff limits of PEF percent change were considered, the sensitivity of PEF to detect a significant change in FEV1 (15 or 20% change) during bronchoconstriction was low; specificity was in general higher than sensitivity. We conclude that PEF and FEV1 changes are poorly related during mild bronchoconstriction induced by different stimuli. The low sensitivity of PEF to detect mild changes in airway caliber may represent a limit in the use of PEF in the day-to-day monitoring of asthma.

Allergens↗
PubMed1997

Mortality rates for respiratory disorders in Italy (1979-1990).

Trends in mortality rates for respiratory disorders were investigated in Italy from 1979 to 1990, using data from the Italian Central Statistical Institute (ISTAT). Mortality from lung cancer increased in all age groups, except for those aged 45-64 yrs after 1985. Respiratory diseases showed a consistent reduction; in particular, mortality from emphysema decreased slowly, and mortality from chronic bronchitis showed a significant reduction in all age groups. However, mortality from asthma increased markedly in all age groups up to 1985, and then levelled off and slightly decreased, although remaining at a higher level than in the 1970s. In 1990, data stratified for age group and gender indicated a higher mortality rate in males, that tended to be age-dependent, with the highest rate ratio male/female in those aged 65-74 yrs. Overall, these data indicate a trend to increased mortality from lung cancer and asthma in Italy in the 1980s.

Asthma↗
PubMed1997

Assessment of respiratory effect of air pollution: study design on general population samples.

The aim of this paper is to describe an epidemiological model to investigate the relationship between respiratory diseases and environmental air pollution. In the Po Delta prospective study, subjects were investigated before and after a large thermoelectric power plant began operating, in 1980 to 1982 and in 1988 to 1991, respectively. The Pisa prospective study was performed in 1986 to 1988 and in 1991 to 1993, before and after the construction of a new expressway that encircles the city from the North to the Southeast. In each survey, subjects completed the interviewer-administered standardized CNR questionnaire on respiratory symptoms/diseases and risk factors, and performed lung function tests. In the second survey of each study, skin prick tests, total serum IgE determination, methacholine challenge test and biomarkers (such as sister chromatide exchanges, micronuclei, chromosomal abnormalities, DNA and hemoglobin adducts) were also performed. Concentrations of total suspended particulate and SO2 in both surveys were higher in urban than in rural areas, as well as symptom/disease prevalences and bronchial reactivity. Subgroups of subjects from the two samples were enrolled to perform a specific study on the acute respiratory effects of indoor pollution; the daily presence of symptoms and measurements of peak expiratory flow (PEF), daily activity pattern, and assessment of the indoor air quality (particulates < 2.5 mu and NO2) were evaluated. Higher symptom prevalences and PEF variability level were observed in subjects with the highest levels of NO2 or particulates, especially asthmatics. In conclusion, these studies represent a basis for further analyses to better define the relationship between respiratory health and indoor/outdoor pollutant levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Skin prick test reactivity to common aeroallergens in relation to total IgE, respiratory symptoms, and smoking in a general population sample of northern Italy.

Skin prick test (SPT) reactivity to common airborne allergens and its relationships to sex, age, smoking habits, and respiratory symptoms/diseases were evaluated in a general population sample (n = 2841, 8-75 years of age) living in the Po delta area (northern Italy). Subjects completed a standardized questionnaire and underwent prick tests (12 local allergens, a negative and a positive control) and determination of total serum IgE. Atopy was evaluated by measuring the maximal diameter for each allergen, after subtracting that of the negative control. Thirty-one percent of subjects showed a positive skin response at a 3-mm threshold. Pollens, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and D. farinae caused the highest frequencies of reactions. Young people and those who had never smoked had higher prevalence rates of SPT reactivity. Asthma, asthma symptoms, and rhinitis were significantly associated with SPT reactivity in both sexes (cough only in females) and with the number of positive reactions. IgE values were also significantly associated with SPT reactivity. In conclusion, our findings indicate that almost one-third of the general population of an Italian rural area is skin test positive, emphasizing the importance of assessing atopy in respiratory epidemiologic surveys.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Value of perfusion lung scan in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: results of the Prospective Investigative Study of Acute Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PISA-PED).

To assess the value of perfusion lung scan in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, we prospectively evaluated 890 consecutive patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. Prior to lung scanning, each patient was assigned a clinical probability of pulmonary embolism (very likely, possible, unlikely). Perfusion scans were independently classified as follows: (1) normal, (2) near-normal, (3) abnormal compatible with pulmonary embolism (PE+: single or multiple wedge-shaped perfusion defects), or (4) abnormal not compatible with pulmonary embolism (PE-: perfusion defects other than wedge-shaped). The study design required pulmonary angiography and clinical and scintigraphic follow-up in all patients with abnormal scans. Of 890 scans, 220 were classified as normal/or near-normal and 670 as abnormal. A definitive diagnosis was established in 563 (84%) patients with abnormal scans. The overall prevalence of pulmonary embolism was 39%. Most patients with angiographically proven pulmonary embolism had PE+ scans (sensitivity: 92%). Conversely, most patients without emboli on angiography had PE- scans (specificity: 87%). A PE+ scan associated with a very likely or possible clinical presentation of pulmonary embolism had positive predictive values of 99 and 92%, respectively. A PE- scan paired with an unlikely clinical presentation had a negative predictive value of 97%. Clinical assessment combined with perfusion-scan evaluation established or excluded pulmonary embolism in the majority of patients with abnormal scans. Our data indicate that accurate diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is possible by perfusion scanning alone, without ventilation imaging. Combining perfusion scanning with clinical assessment helps to restrict the need for angiography to a minority of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Detection of N7-methyldeoxyguanosine adducts in human pulmonary alveolar cells.

Alkylating agents may cause DNA damage in different human cells and tissues, including lungs. For instance, tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines are known to produce methyl-DNA adducts, such as N7-methyldeoxyguanosine, and to induce lung tumors. We applied a combined high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/32P-postlabeling technique for measurement of N7-methyldeoxyguanosine in human pulmonary alveolar cells (HPAC). Thirty patients (13 males, 17 females; mean age 51 +/- 17 yr) undergoing bronchoalveolar lavage for diagnosis of nonmalignant lung diseases were studied. DNA was extracted from HPAC, digested to 2'-deoxyribonucleotide 3'-monophosphates and HPLC separated to obtain deoxyguanosine (dGp) and N7-methyldeoxyguanosine (N7-MedGp) monophosphates. Fractions corresponding to normal (1:10,000) and N7-methylated dGp were subsequently 32P-postlabeled by T4 polynucleotide kinase with high specific activity 32P-ATP, resolved by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and autoradiographed after 3 to 18 h exposure. Spots corresponding to dGp and N7-MedGp were scraped off the plates and quantitated by liquid scintillation counting to calculate direct molar ratios. Recovered HPAC (14.4 +/- 10.0 x 10(6)) were predominantly macrophages (73.8 +/- 16.4%) and lymphocytes (9.8 +/- 11.6%). N7-MedGp was detected in 11 patients, the level ranging from 0.10 to 48.03 fmol/micrograms DNA which corresponded to 0.31-79.00 x 10(-6) N7-MedGp/dGp ratios. Detection of N7-MedGp in HPAC was associated with the smoking habit of patients: N7-MedGp was present in 7 of 10 smokers, 2 of 10 ex-smokers, and 2 of 10 nonsmokers (P < 0.05). These results show that HPAC may be used for molecular dosimetry of DNA damage by alkylating agents, including tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines, in cigarette smokers and thus used for cancer risk assessment.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Importance of baseline cotinine plasma values in smoking cessation: results from a double-blind study with nicotine patch.

Nicotine replacement by transdermal patches is more effective than placebo in smoking cessation, but has a low success rate after one year (9-18%). We tested whether this was attributed to insufficient nicotine replacement. We conducted a randomized trial to investigate the effect on outcome of different doses of transdermal nicotine replacement after stratification according to baseline plasma cotinine values. Two hundred and ninety seven adult smokers were enrolled. Those with baseline cotinine < or = 250 ng.ml-1 (low cotinine) were randomly assigned to placebo (LC-P) or to 15 mg 16 h nicotine patches (LC-15), and those with baseline cotinine > 250 ng.mL-1 (high cotinine) were randomly assigned to 15 mg (HC-15) or 25 mg (HC-25) 16 h nicotine patches. Plasma nicotine and cotinine values, expired carbon monoxide and withdrawal symptoms were measured at scheduled intervals during treatment. Smokers in the LC-15 group had a significantly higher success rate than placebo (28 vs 9%). Smokers with high baseline cotinine had lower success rates, and a high dose of nicotine did not increase success rate (HC-25 9% vs HC-15 11%). Subjects in the HC-15 group had the lowest percentage of nicotine replacement and a higher prevalence of withdrawal symptoms than the HC-25 group. Replacement was similar in groups LC-15 and HC-25, but the success rate was significantly lower in HC-25 group, despite similar levels of withdrawal symptoms. We conclude that a higher success rate was obtained after one year in smokers with low baseline plasma cotinine values. Determination of plasma cotinine values may be, thus, helpful in identifying smokers who could benefit from transdermal nicotine replacement.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effect of short-term NO2 exposure on induced sputum in normal, asthmatic and COPD subjects.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of short-term exposure to low levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on airway inflammation. We studied seven normal, eight mild asthmatic and seven chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) subjects. All subjects were exposed to air or to 0.3 parts per million (ppm) NO2 for 1 h, with moderate intermittent exercise, on different days and in random order. Before and 2 h after exposure, symptom score and results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were assessed. All subjects performed nasal lavage and hypertonic saline (HS) inhalation to collect sputum 2 h after both exposures. Asthmatic subjects had a higher percentage of eosinophils than normal and COPD subjects in HS-induced sputum after air (asthmatics: median 13 (range 0.4-37)%; normals: 0 (range 0-2)%; COPD 1.8 (range 0.1-19)%), whilst COPD patients showed a higher percentage of neutrophils than the two others groups. No significant differences in PFT values or percentages of inflammatory cells were observed in nasal lavage and in HS-induced sputum in normal, asthmatic and COPD subjects after NO2 exposure compared to air exposure, except for a mild decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 2 h after NO2 exposure in COPD patients. Symptom score showed a mild increase after NO2 exposure both in normal subjects and in COPD patients. We conclude that short-term exposure to 0.3 ppm nitrogen dioxide does not induce an early detectable acute inflammation in proximal airways of normal subjects or of patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1996

Comparison between hypertonic and isotonic saline-induced sputum in the evaluation of airway inflammation in subjects with moderate asthma.

BACKGROUND: Hypertonic saline-induced sputum has recently been used for the evaluation of airway inflammation in asthma. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of hypertonicity on airway inflammation. METHODS: We compared the inflammatory cell composition of hypertonic saline-induced sputum with that of isotonic saline-induced sputum in 21 asthmatic subjects and, at baseline and 30 min after each sputum induction, we measured bronchial hyper-responsiveness to methacholine as an indirect marker to detect increased airway inflammation. On two different days, the patients inhaled hypertonic saline (3-5% NaCl) or isotonic saline (0.9% NaCl) for 30 min via an ultrasonic nebulizer, while monitoring FEV1. Sputum was collected for inflammatory cell analysis. RESULTS: There was no difference in inflammatory cell percentages obtained with the two methods. Eosinophils were > 1% in 20 subjects after hypertonic saline and in 16 subjects after isotonic saline, but this difference was not statistically significant. Intraclass correlation coefficients for sputum inflammatory cells obtained with the two methods were +0.642 for eosinophils, +0.644 for neutrophils, +0.544 for lymphocytes and +0.505 for macrophages. Hypertonic saline induced bronchoconstruction in a significantly greater number of subjects than isotonic saline. Also, hypertonic saline increased bronchial responsiveness to methacholine, while isotonic saline did not. CONCLUSION: We conclude that hypertonicity does not affect sputum cell composition, suggesting that inflammatory cells in hypertonic saline-induced sputum are probably preexisting and not acutely recruited in the airways by the hypertonic stimulus. However, the bronchoconstriction and the increase in bronchial hyper-responsiveness after hypertonic saline inhalation may imply the release of inflammatory mediators. This fact must be considered in the evaluation of soluble markers of inflammation in hypertonic saline-induced sputum.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The effect of a new expectorant drug on mucus transport in chronic bronchitis.

The expectorant effect of two weeks treatment with cistinexine dihydrochloride (Rec 15/1884/2, Recordati S.p.A, Milano), on mucus transport rate (MTR) was evaluated in a double-blind study on 30 chronic bronchitis patients, 20 treated with active drug (group D), 10 with placebo (group P). After inhalation of nebulized 99mTc labelled human albumin minimicrospheres (HAMM), MTR was determined by external gamma-camera counting over the thorax. To control initial particle deposition a penetration index (PI) was determined as the ratio of activity between peripheral and hilar regions of equal size. Before treatment no differences were found between groups in spirometry, PI, and MTR. After treatment spirometry and PI remained unchanged in both groups. MTR expressed as the half time (T1/2) of the exponential fitting between 0 and 40 minutes showed an interesting behaviour, particularly in group D. Considering the group as a whole, T1/2 did not vary significantly (381 +/- 400 min. before, vs 224 +/- 132 min. after treatment, p = 0.090). However, a statistically significant reduction of the index (815 +/- 396 min. before vs. 258 +/- 120 min. after treatment, p < 0.01) occurred in the seven patients showing at baseline a T1/2 higher than 338 +/- 182 min. (the reference value observed in our laboratory for 8 asymptomatic non smoker subjects). Therefore, the beneficial effect of the drug is seen only in patients with a severe impairment of MTR.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Chest radiography and high resolution computed tomography in the evaluation of workers exposed to silica dust: relation with functional findings.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the usefulness of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) with chest radiography (CR) in the diagnosis and assessment of severity of silicosis. METHODS: 27 workers exposed to silica underwent CR, HRCT, and pulmonary function tests. Two experienced readers independently evaluated CR by International Labour Office classification, and grouped the results into four categories. HRCT categories of nodule profusion and the extent of emphysema were graded on a four point scale; in 20 subjects the percentage distribution of lung densities were measured by HRCT. RESULTS: Concordance between readers was higher for HRCT than for CR (K statistic = 0.49 and 0.29 respectively). There was poor concordance between CR and HRCT in the early stage of silicosis. No significant difference in pulmonary function tests was found among different CR categories, but forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximal expiratory flow at 50% and 75% of FVC (MEF50, MEF75), and diffusion capacity significantly decreased with increasing HRCT categories. Subjects with simple silicosis detected by HRCT had a lower FEV1 than subjects without silicosis, whereas subjects with conglomerated silicosis showed higher residual volume and functional residual capacity than subjects with simple silicosis. These relations were not affected by smoking or symptoms of chronic bronchitis. Different grades of emphysema detected by HRCT were significantly different in diffusion capacity. Only the HRCTs of the lowest and the highest categories of profusion of parenchymal opacities were significantly different in their distribution of density classes. CONCLUSION: HRCT is more reproducible and accurate than CR, as suggested by the higher agreement between readers and the better correlation with pulmonary function tests, irrespective of smoking and chronic bronchitis; however, these data do not support the hypothesis that HRCT is more sensitive than CR in the early detection of silicosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

A way to select on clinical grounds patients with high risk for pulmonary embolism: a retrospective analysis in a nested case-control study.

We studied 196 patients with suspicion of pulmonary embolism (PE), subsequently confirmed in 98 by positive pulmonary angiography and excluded in 98 by normal or near-normal perfusion lung scan. Patients had a clinical questionnaire for history, and, soon after. a radiograph, blood gas analysis, and an ECG. Clinical and instrumental signs were matched in patients with confirmed and unconfirmed PE to find those more frequent in embolic patients and, thus, more characteristic of PE. The following were: previous PE, immobilization and thrombophlebitis (p < 0.05); dyspnea and cough (p < 0.05); enlarged descending pulmonary artery (DPA), enlarged right heart, pulmonary infarction, Westermark sign (p < 0.001), and elevated diaphragm (p < 0.05); hypoxemia. No ECG sign was more frequent in PE. Thereafter, all variables were processed separately with a logistic multiple regression analysis and those significantly associated to PE were tested in a final logistic model that was able to predict the actual result of angiography or scintigraphy; accordingly, previous PE, immobilization, thrombophlebitis, enlarged DPA, pulmonary infarction, Westermark sign, hypoxemia were significantly associated with a high risk of PE (from 2.8 to 15 times greater than in patients without these signs). Therefore, we may conclude that clinical assessment and noninvasive tests may help to detect patients at higher risk for PE where heparin coverage should be started while waiting for conclusive diagnostic procedures.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Mechanisms of hypoxemia and hypocapnia in pulmonary embolism.

Mechanisms of hypoxemia and hypocapnia in pulmonary embolism (PE) are incompletely understood. We studied 10 patients at diagnosis (D) and five of these again after 10 to 14 d of heparin treatment (T). Patients had right heart catheterization, assessment of ventilation-perfusion ratio (VA/Q) distribution by inert gas, radioisotopic perfusion and ventilation scans, and angiography. At D, two-thirds of the pulmonary circulation was obstructed, patients were hypoxemic (PaO2 = 63.0 +/- 11.7 mm Hg) and hypocapnic (PaCO2 = 30.0 +/- 4.1 mm Hg), mixed venous oxygen pressure (PvO2) was reduced (30.9 +/- 3.9 mm Hg), minute ventilation (VE) markedly increased (14.1 +/- 5.1 L/min), and cardiac output measured by applying the Fick principle to arteriovenous oxygen content difference (QT) slightly low (4.7 +/- 1.7 L/min). Hypoxemia was mainly explained by VA/Q inequality, reduced PvO2 also contributed. Hypocapnia was the result of hyperventilation. VA/Q inequality was characterized by shift of VA and Q distribution mean to regions with higher VA/Q ratio through a fraction of blood flow (19.0 +/- 24.3% of cardiac output) went to lung units with low VA/Q ratio. Log SDQ and log SDvA were increased. Shunt, diffusion limitation, or true alveolar dead space occurred in occasional patients but were generally insignificant. Regional ventilation and perfusion maps indicated that in the unperfused lung segments, ventilation was reduced. Furthermore, they disclosed overperfused lung segments. At T, hypoxemia and hypocapnia improved considerably. However, temporal imbalances in recovery between regional ventilation and perfusion occurred with the former normalizing sooner. However, perfusion recovered sooner than ventilation in some regions.

Cardiac Catheterization↗
PubMed1995

The role of suspicion in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is largely undiagnosed because clinical suspicion is not raised in most instances, and thus, patients with PE go undetected. In this paper, we try to define the role of clinical assessment (including chest radiography, electrocardiogram, arterial blood gas analysis) in making the diagnosis early, accurate, and at low cost, and propose a flow chart to be used in clinical practice. All patients with otherwise unexplained dyspnea or chest pain should be sent for perfusion lung scintigraphy; accordingly, underdetection of PE and mortality of PE should be reduced. If, within 1 h after the clinical suspicion has been raised, the above-mentioned simple and noninvasive examinations are available, they may be employed to reduce the number of unnecessary procedures, without losing patients actually affected by PE. Finally, when diagnostic tools are not promptly available, noninvasive techniques may be employed to identify patients with the highest probability of PE where to start with heparin coverage while waiting for definitive diagnosis.

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed1995

Clinical features of pulmonary embolism. Doubts and certainties.

The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) can be accurately made by perfusion lung scan and pulmonary angiography; however, when these diagnostic techniques are not promptly available, simple clinical procedures may be useful to identify patients with high probability PE. To this end, collection of clinical data through a standardized questionnaire and the use of findings from chest radiograph, ECG, and blood gas analysis may raise clinical suspicion and decide on therapeutic management. By reviewing published literature and our own experience, we found that unexplained dyspnea and chest pain are the most frequent symptoms, and sudden onset dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain are the most typical. Chest radiograph is abnormal in more than 80% of patients with PE, showing typical signs such as "sausage-like" descending pulmonary artery, Westermark sign, etc. The ECG may show findings characteristic of PE, such as tachycardia, T wave inversion in V1-V2, and PR displacement. Arterial blood gas data frequently demonstrate hypoxia and hypocapnia, being helpful in suspecting or excluding PE. Recent statistical techniques, such as discriminant or logistic analysis, may be applied to the above clinical assessment to refine and improve the noninvasive diagnosis of PE.

Adult↗