Lipoprotein(a) as a Risk Factor for Venous Thromboembolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Literature.

Elevated plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) are associated with increased cardiovascular risk in several clinical studies. However, there is a lack of data supporting a positive association between elevated Lp(a) levels and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Thus, we conducted a systematic review of the literature to better clarify its role as a risk factor for VTE. Medline and the Embase (up to May 2015) electronic databases were used to identify potentially eligible studies. Studies measuring Lp(a) values in adult patients with deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism and in a population of patients without a VTE were selected. Studies on patients with major venous thromboembolic events occurring at other unusual site, case reports, and case series were excluded. The odds ratios (ORs) of the association between high values of Lp(a) and VTE and the weighted mean difference (WMD) in Lp(a) levels in cases and in controls were calculated using a random-effect model. Results were presented with 95% confidence interval (CI). Fourteen studies for a total of more than 14,000 patients were finally included in our analysis. Lp(a) was slightly but significantly associated with an increased risk of VTE (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.36, 1.79; 10 studies, 13,541 patients). VTE patients had significantly higher Lp(a) values compared with controls (WMD: 14.46 mg/L, 95% CI: 12.14, 16.78; 4 studies, 470 patients). Lp(a) appeared to be significantly associated with increased risk of VTE. However, Lp(a) levels were only slightly increased in VTE patients compared with controls.

Gender Difference in Efficacy and Safety of Nonvitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation or Venous Thromboembolism: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Limited information exists on gender-related differences in the safety and efficacy of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs). AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs)/NOACs in men and women pooling data from randomized controlled trials on the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and on the acute and extended treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). METHODS: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched up to June 2014. The efficacy outcome was defined as the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism (AF studies), or as the prevention of recurrent VTE or VTE-related death (VTE studies). The safety outcome was defined as the occurrence of major and/or clinically relevant non-major bleeding. Differences in the efficacy and safety outcomes were expressed as risk ratio (RR) with pertinent 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: A total of 13 studies (> 100,000 patients) were included. DOACs appeared to have a similar efficacy and safety compared with vitamin K antagonists in female and male patients treated for nonvalvular AF and acute VTE. In the extended treatment of VTE NOACs had a RR of bleeding of 4.97 (95% CI 1.06, 23.41) in males and 1.33 (95% CI 0.63, 2.83) in females compared with placebo (subgroup difference chi-square test: 2.25, p = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: No gender-related difference in the efficacy and safety of NOACs in patients with AF or acute VTE was found. A trend toward an increased risk of bleeding in male patients as compared with female patients was detected in the extended treatment of VTE.

Polymorphisms of the Z protein protease inhibitor and risk of venous thromboembolism: a meta-analysis.

Two nonsense polymorphisms of Z-dependent protease inhibitor (ZPI; Serpina10) have been identified. To assess the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with W303x and R67X Serpina10 mutations, we performed a meta-analysis of studies comparing the prevalence of these two mutations in VTE patients and in controls Odds Ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each trial and pooled using a random-effects model. Five studies involving 5000 patients were included. R67X and W303X mutations of Serpina10 were not associated with increased VTE risk (OR 1.63; 95% CI 0.84, 3.16 and OR 1.21; 95% CI 0.29, 4.98 respectively).

Inherited thrombophilic abnormalities and risk of portal vein thrombosis. a meta-analysis.

Inherited thrombophilic abnormalities may have a role in the development of portal vein thrombosis (PVT). However, the prevalence of these factors in patients with PVT has been evaluated only in small studies with non-conclusive results. It was the purpose of this study to assess the risk of PVT associated with factor V Leiden (FVL) and G20210A prothrombin mutation (PTM). The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases, reference lists of retrieved articles and contact with content experts were used. Studies carried out in Western Europe comparing the prevalence of prothrombotic abnormalities in patients with PVT and in controls without a history of thromboembolic disease were included. Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted study characteristics, quality and outcomes. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each trial and pooled using a fixed and random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated using the I(2) statistic. Sensitivity analyses were performed examining separately studies according to the etiology of PVT and to control population. Twelve studies involving more than 3,000 patients were included. The pooled OR for PVT was 1.90 (95%CI: 1.25, 2.90) in patients with FVL and 4.48 (95%CI: 3.10, 6.48) in patients with PTM. In conclusion, PVT is associated with the presence of FVL and PTM in Western Europe.

BNP and NT-proBNP predict echocardiographic severity of diastolic dysfunction.

AIMS: To evaluate the best combination of clinical parameters and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP), to predict diastolic dysfunction (DD) in heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HF-PLEF) as determined by Doppler-echocardiography. METHODS AND RESULTS: HF patients with EF >40% in the CHARM Echocardiographic Substudy were included and classified to have normal diastolic function, or mild, moderate or severe diastolic dysfunction. Plasma BNP and NT-proBNP levels were measured and relevant clinical characteristics recorded. 181 participants were included in this analysis, 72 (40%) had moderate to severe DD. A model including age, sex, BNP, body mass index, history of atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and left atrial volume was highly predictive of moderate to severe DD; AUC 0.81 (0.73-0.88; p<0.0001). Similarly, substitution of BNP with NT-proBNP resulted in an AUC 0.79 (0.72-0.87; p<0.0001). In these models; BNP>100 pg/ml (OR 6.24 CI 2.42-16.09, p=0.0002), history of diabetes (OR 3.52 CI 1.43-8.70, p=0.006) and NT-proBNP >600 pg/ml (OR 5.93 CI 2.21-15.92, p=0.0004), history of diabetes mellitus (OR 2.75 CI 1.12-6.76, p=0.03) respectively remained independent predictors of DD in HF-PLEF. CONCLUSIONS: Natriuretic peptides were the strongest independent predictors of DD, as determined by Doppler-echocardiography, in HF-PLEF.

Effects of dual blockade of Renin-Angiotensin system on concentric left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension: a randomized, controlled pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a major role in promoting left ventricular (LV) remodeling in essential hypertension. We designed a controlled, randomized pilot study aimed to test the hypothesis that the dual RAS blockade with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (ACEi) + angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) can be more effective in decreasing LV hypertrophy and improving diastolic function than a largely employed association such as ACEi + calcium-antagonist (Ca-A). METHODS: Twenty-four never-treated hypertensive patients with LV concentric hypertrophy were randomized to ramipril + candesartan or ramipril + lercanidipine. Before and after the 6-month treatment they underwent a 24-h blood pressure (BP) monitoring and echocardiographic examination. RESULTS: At baseline, age, body mass index (BMI), 24-h BP, and LV morpho-functional parameters were similar between the two groups. The 6-month treatment induced in both groups a significant decrease of 24-h BP, septal and posterior wall thickness, and LV mass index (LVMi) (ACEi + ARB 155 +/- 19 to 122 +/- 17 g/m(2), P < 0.0001; ACEi + Ca-A 146 +/- 18 to 127 +/- 20 g/m(2), P < 0.0001). Systolic function remained unchanged; LV diastolic parameters increased significantly in both groups. The extent of 24-h BP decrease was similar between the two groups (-13.3/16.3% vs. -12.3/15.8%, P = 0.63/P = 0.71), whereas the decrease of LV mass (-22% vs. -12.8%, P < 0.005) and the improvement of diastolic function were greater in ACEi + ARB group. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with ACEi + Ca-A, ACEi + ARB treatment showed a greater antiremodeling effect, that can be reasonably ascribed to a BP-independent effect of the dual RAS blockade.

Prevalence of renal failure and use of antithrombotic prophylaxis among medical inpatients at increased risk of venous thromboembolic events.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based guidelines recommend the use of antithrombotic prophylaxis in medical patients at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) are usually preferred to unfractionated heparin. However, when prophylactic doses of LMWH are administered, patients with renal failure (RF) are exposed to the risk of excessive accumulation, and thus to an increased risk of bleeding. We aimed to assess the prevalence of RF among medical inpatients at increased risk of VTE and the use and dosage of antithrombotic prophylaxis in these patients. METHODS: In a cross sectional study carried out at three different hospitals, information on all medical inpatients was collected. Patients were defined at increased risk of VTE according to the American College of Chest Physicians guidelines. Data on the proportion of patients with renal RF, on the use and dosage of antithrombotic prophylaxis, and on the presence of contraindications to antithrombotic therapy were ascertained. RESULTS: 439 hospital charts were examined; 158 patients (36.0%) were defined at increased risk of VTE and had no contraindications to antithrombotic treatment. Thromboprophylaxis was prescribed to 61.4% of these patients. Eighty (50.7%) of them also had moderate or severe RF. There was no difference in the rate of prescription nor in the doses of antithrombotic prophylaxis between patients with and without RF (p=0.81 and p=0.94, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: RF is frequently present in medical patients at risk of VTE. A considerable proportion of these patients may not receive the optimal type or dose of antithrombotic prophylaxis.

Meta-analysis: anticoagulant prophylaxis to prevent symptomatic venous thromboembolism in hospitalized medical patients.

BACKGROUND: Underutilization of anticoagulant prophylaxis may be due to lack of evidence that prophylaxis prevents clinically important outcomes in hospitalized medical patients at risk for venous thromboembolism. PURPOSE: To assess the effects of anticoagulant prophylaxis in reducing clinically important outcomes in hospitalized medical patients. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched to September 2006 without language restrictions. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized trials comparing anticoagulant prophylaxis with no treatment in hospitalized medical patients. DATA EXTRACTION: Any symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE), fatal PE, symptomatic deep venous thrombosis, all-cause mortality, and major bleeding. Pooled relative risks and associated 95% CIs were calculated. For treatment effects that were statistically significant, the authors determined the absolute risk reduction and the number needed to treat for benefit (NNT(B)) to prevent an outcome. DATA SYNTHESIS: 9 studies (n = 19 958) were included. During anticoagulant prophylaxis, patients had significant reductions in any PE (relative risk, 0.43 [CI, 0.26 to 0.71]; absolute risk reduction, 0.29%; NNT(B), 345) and fatal PE (relative risk, 0.38 [CI, 0.21 to 0.69]; absolute risk reduction, 0.25%; NNT(B), 400), a nonsignificant reduction in symptomatic deep venous thrombosis (relative risk, 0.47 [CI, 0.22 to 1.00]), and a nonsignificant increase in major bleeding (relative risk, 1.32 [CI, 0.73 to 2.37]). Anticoagulant prophylaxis had no effect on all-cause mortality (relative risk, 0.97 [CI, 0.79 to 1.19]). LIMITATIONS: 2 of 9 included studies were not double-blind. CONCLUSIONS: Anticoagulant prophylaxis is effective in preventing symptomatic venous thromboembolism during anticoagulant prophylaxis in at-risk hospitalized medical patients. Additional research is needed to determine the risk for venous thromboembolism in these patients after prophylaxis has been stopped.

Impact of neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio on major clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory markers are significantly associated with cardiovascular disease. The ratio between neutrophils and lymphocytes (NLR) is a potential new biomarker, which can single out individuals at risk for future cardiovascular events. Among total white blood cell count (WBC) and its subtypes, NLR seems to have the greatest predictive value for death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We conducted a meta-analysis of the literature to assess the relation between NLR and cardiovascular outcomes in STEMI/NSTEMI patients. METHODS: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched. Two reviewers selected studies and extracted data. Pooled results were reported as odds ratios (ORs) and were presented with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Twenty-three studies for a total of >16,000 patients were included. Compared to those with low NLR, high NLR on-admission was associated with a higher overall mortality both in patients with STEMI (OR: 4.60, 95% CI: 2.84-7.45; P < 0.00001) and in patients with NSTEMI (OR: 6.41, 95% CI: 2.65-15.50; P < 0.00001). An increased MACE risk was found in STEMI patients with high NLR (OR: 3.71, 95% CI: 2.67-5.17; P < 0.00001). Post-PCI mortality risk was significantly increased in patients with high NLR (OR: 3.76, 95% CI: 2.64-5.34; P < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: In this large meta-analysis on prognostic significance of NLR in ACS we found that on-admission high NLR in patients with STEMI/NSTEMI appeared to affect clinically important outcomes including both in-hospital and long-term mortality and MACE.

Family history of hypertension influences left ventricular diastolic function during chronic antihypertensive therapy.

BACKGROUND: Genetic factors play an important role in linking insulin resistance and hypertension, also influencing insulin sensitivity changes during antihypertensive treatment. This study was aimed to evaluate whether genetic predisposition to hypertension can also influence left ventricular (LV) changes during antihypertensive treatment. METHODS: We enrolled 36 never-treated hypertensives: 18 with both parents hypertensive (F+) and 18 with both parents normotensive (F-), matched for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). The patients were evaluated twice, before and after 2.5 years of treatment with enalapril. At both evaluations the patients underwent: 24-h blood pressure (BP) monitoring, LV echocardiogram, and oral glucose tolerance test, with measurements of glucose and insulin levels. RESULTS: At basal evaluation the two groups were not different with regard to gender, age, BMI, 24-h BP, and fasting glucose; glucose metabolic clearance rate was significantly lower in F+. The LV mass index was similar between the groups, whereas diastolic parameters were significantly lower in F+. At second evaluation, 24-h BP and LV mass were decreased to the same extent in both groups; glucose metabolic clearance rate significantly increased in F- and remained unchanged in F+. The improvement of LV diastolic function, found in both group, was significantly greater in F-. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic predisposition to hypertension, in addition to affecting insulin sensitivity, influences LV functional changes during antihypertensive treatment. Despite a similar extent of 24-h BP and LV mass decrease, F+ patients showed no changes in insulin sensitivity and a smaller improvement in LV diastolic function than F-.

Masked hypertension in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Relationship with left-ventricular structure and function.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate in type 2 diabetes mellitus the relationship between masked hypertension (MH) and left ventricular (LV) morpho-functional characteristics. METHODS: Using 24-hour BP monitoring and echocardiography, we evaluated 71 type 2 diabetic patients, without overt cardiac disease and never treated with antihypertensive drugs: 45 normotensive subjects with clinic BP <130/85 mmHg and 26 sustained hypertensives (SH)(clinic BP > or = 140 and/or 90 mmHg and 24-hour BP > or =125 and/or 80 mmHg), matched for age, gender, BMI and duration of diabetes with clinically normotensive patients. MH was diagnosed with clinic BP <130/85 mmHg and 24-hour BP > or =125 and/or 80 mmHg. RESULTS: Among clinically normotensive patients, 21 (47%) had MH and 24 were true normotensive (NT, 24-hour BP <125/80 mmHg). LV mass increased from NT to MH to SH (p < 0.001); the parameters of LV diastolic function were similar between MH and SH and significantly lower than in NT. CONCLUSION: In type 2 diabetic patients with clinic BP <130/85 mmHg, MH is frequent and is associated with LV remodelling characterized by increased myocardial mass and preclinical impairment of LV diastolic function; the remodelling is qualitatively and for some aspects also quantitatively similar to that found in sustained hypertensive patients. Therefore it would be useful to look for MH in diabetic subjects with clinic BP <130/85 mmHg, who, following the guidelines, are not entitled to antihypertensive treatment: the finding of MH could identify a subgroup of patients at higher cardiovascular risk and therefore needing a prompt antihypertensive treatment.

How to predict short- and long-term mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism?

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common disease with a considerable short- and long-term risk of death. An adequate evaluation of the prognosis in patients with PE may guide decision making in terms of the intensity of the initial treatment during the acute phase, duration of treatment, and intensity of follow-up control visits in the long term. Patients with shock or persistent hypotension are at high risk of early mortality and may benefit from immediate reperfusion. Several tools are available to define the short-term prognosis of hemodynamically stable patients. The Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) score, simplified PESI score, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels are particularly useful for identifying patients at low risk of early complications who might be safely treated at home. However, the identification of patients who are hemodynamically stable at diagnosis but are at a high risk of early complications is more challenging. The current guidelines recommended a multiparametric prognostic algorithm based on the clinical status and comorbidities. Unfortunately, only a few studies have evaluated the role of risk factors potentially affecting the long-term prognosis of these patients. The available studies suggest a potential role of the PESI score and troponin levels evaluated at the time of an index event. However, further studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary findings and to identify other long-term prognostic factors in this setting.  

Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants in patients with pulmonary embolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

Limited information exists on the safety and efficacy of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). The aim of this study is to evaluate the difference in the safety and efficacy of the NOACs in comparison to the standard treatment in patients presenting with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and with PE using data from randomized controlled trials. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched. Differences in the efficacy (recurrent VTE or death-related VTE) and in the safety (major bleeding) outcome were expressed as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Heterogeneity among the studies was assessed. Six studies (27,023 patients) were included. NOACs appeared to have a similar efficacy and safety compared to VKAs in patients presenting with PE and with DVT with a non-significant heterogeneity between the groups (efficacy: RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.72, 1.13 in PE patients and 0.93, 95% CI 0.75, 1.16 in DVT patients; χ2 0.04, p = 0.84; safety: RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.26, 0.95 in PE patients and 0.74 95% CI 0.51, 1.06 in DVT; χ2 1.10, p = 0.29). Our results suggest that the efficacy and safety of the NOACs compared to VKAs is similar between patients with PE and DVT.

Is diabetes a hypercoagulable state? A critical appraisal.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a chronic disease with an increasing incidence and prevalence worldwide, is an established risk factor for arterial cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular diseases including acute myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral artery disease. On the other hand, its role as independent risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and for cardioembolic stroke or systemic embolism (SE) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is more conflicting. Venous and arterial thromboses have traditionally been regarded as separate diseases, but recent studies have documented an association between these vascular complications. Cardiovascular risk factors may contribute to unprovoked VTE, and VTE may be an early symptomatic event in patients at high cardiovascular risk, including diabetic patients. Compelling evidences suggest that DM is associated with a higher risk of development and progression of AF. Furthermore, in AF patients with a coexisting DM the risk of cardioembolic stroke/SE appeared increased. Thus, DM has been included as one of the items of the CHADS2 score and of the subsequent CHA2DS2-VASc score that have been developed to assess the arterial tromboembolic risk of AF patients. Such a high incidence of thromboembolic events observed in these clinical subsets may be attributable to the DM-related prothrombotic state due to a number of changes in primary and secondary hemostasis. Although of potential clinical interest, unfortunately, to date, no study has properly evaluated the effects of drugs used to control blood glucose levels on the risk of venous thromboembolism and arterial cardioembolic events in patients with DM.

Efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants in patients undergoing cardioversion for atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

BACKGROUND: DOACs are increasingly used in patients with NVAF. Information on efficacy and safety of these compounds in patients undergoing electrical or pharmacological cardioversion is limited. Thus, we performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the literature to address this issue. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy and safety of DOACs and VKAs in patients with NVAF were systematically searched in Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases (up to September 2014). Pooled relative risk (RR) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for each outcome. RESULTS: Four randomized controlled trials (3635 patients), for a total of 4517 cardioversions (2869 with DOACs and 1648 with VKAs), were included in the analysis. DOACs and VKAs appeared equally effective in the prevention of stroke/systemic embolism (0.41% vs 0.61%; RR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.31, 1.72; P=0.48) and of post-cardiovascular death (0.52% vs 0.81%; RR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.27, 2.03; P=0.55), with a similar risk of major bleeding complications (0.81% vs 0.60%; RR: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.55, 2.71). Heterogeneity among studies was generally absent. Furthermore, the Weighted Mean Incidence (WMI) of complications appeared very low in patients randomized to DOACs (WMI: 0.6% and 0.9% for stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that DOACs are at least as effective and safe as VKAs in patients with NVAF undergoing to an electrical or pharmacological cardioversion. Thus, DOACs may be considered a valid and practical alternative to VKAs.

The role of inherited thrombophilia in patients with isolated pulmonary embolism: a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common vascular disease that results in deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Factor V Leiden mutation (FVL) and G20210A prothrombin mutation (PTM) are associated with an increased risk of VTE. Recent studies have reported a lower prevalence of FVL in patients with isolated PE than in patients with DVT with or without PE, suggesting the possibility that the prevalence of FVL in patients with isolated PE may be not significantly different from that of the general population. To address this issue, we performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of published studies that assessed the prevalence of FVL and/or PTM in patients with isolated PE and in controls without VTE. METHODS: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched up to October 2013. Pooled odds Ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity was evaluated using the Cochran Q and I(2) statistics. RESULTS: Eighteen studies totalling more than 11,000 patients were included. FVL was found significantly more often in patients presenting isolated PE than in controls (OR 2.06; 95% CI 1.66, 2.56; p <0.0001). The prevalence of PTM was also significantly different in patients presenting with isolated PE than in controls (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.92, 3.63; p<0.0001). Heterogeneity among studies was low. CONCLUSION: FVL and PTM are both associated with isolated PE. However, the association magnitude between PE and FVL mutation appeared to be lower compared to that observed in the general population of VTE patients.

Evaluation of right ventricular function in patients with a previous episode of pulmonary embolism using tissue Doppler imaging.

New echocardiographic techniques including tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and pulsed tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the right ventricular wall have been assessed to better define right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) during the acute phase of pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients without significant tricuspidal insufficiency. Their application in patients with a previous history of PE may provide a better estimation of the incidence and clinical significance of long-term functional impairment of the right ventricle. In a case-control study, we compared the prevalence of RVD in a cohort of consecutive patients with previous PE and in age and sex-matched controls without PE. Exclusion criteria were moderate-severe left heart failure, moderate-severe mitral valve regurgitation, severe tricuspid insufficiency, or other causes of chronic pulmonary hypertension. Systolic and diastolic right ventricular functions were evaluated by measuring TAPSE and TDI of the right ventricular wall. Twenty-five patients with a previous first episode of PE and 25 controls were enrolled. Mean value of TAPSE was similar between patients with previous PE and controls (2.58 ± 0.33 and 2.53 ± 0.35 cm, P = ns). In patients with PE, the mean value of E″/A″ was significantly lower than in controls (0.89 ± 0.24 vs. 1.30 ± 0.39, P < 0.001), with 14 out of 25 cases having diastolic dysfunction as compared to only 3 out of 25 controls (P < 0.002). A high proportion of patients with previous PE have echocardiographic signs of RV diastolic dysfunction 6 months after the acute phase, even in the absence of symptoms, and in the presence of normal pulmonary pressures.