Diagnostic validity of hematologic parameters in evaluation of massive pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the hematologic parameter with the highest diagnostic differentiation in the identification of massive acute pulmonary embolism (APE). METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on patients diagnosing with APE between June 2014 and June 2016. All radiological and laboratory parameters of patients were scanned through the electronic information management system of the hospital. PLR was obtained from the ratio of platelet count to lymphocyte count, NLR was obtained from the ratio of neutrophil count to lymphocyte count, WMR was obtained from white blood cell in mean platelet volume ratio, MPR was obtained from the ratio of mean platelet volume to platelet count, and RPR was obtained from the ratio of red distribution width to platelet count. RESULTS: Six hundred and thirty-nine patients consisting of 292 males (45.7%) and 347 females (54.3%) were included in the research. Independent predictors of massive risk as compared to sub-massive group were; pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) (OR=1.40; P=.001), PLR (OR=1.59; P<.001), NLR (OR=2.22; P<.001), WMR (OR=1.22; P<.001), MPR (OR=0.33; P<.001), and RPR (OR=0.68; P<.001). Upon evaluation of the diagnostic differentiation of these risk factors for massive APE by employing receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, it was determined that PLR (AUC±SE=0.877±0.015; P<.001), and NLR (AUC±SE=0.893±0.013; P<.001) have similar diagnostic differentiation in diagnosing massive APE and these two parameters are superior over PASP, MPR, WMR, and RPR. CONCLUSION: We determined that the levels of NLR and PLR are superior to other parameters in the determination of clinical severity in APE cases.

Hormonal Contraception and Massive Pulmonary Embolism in a COVID-19 Ambulatory Patient: A Case Report.

Coronavirus 19 disease (COVID-19) presents a highly variable clinical presentation and course, ranging from asymptomatic patients to rapidly progressive, fatal pneumonia. The known heterogeneous outcomes can affect both previously healthy patients and those with significant comorbidities, who develop clinical courses with possibly more multisystemic compromise. Likewise, the development of thrombotic phenomena during the acute course of the disease is associated with complications that worsen patient prognosis. We present a case report of a 45-year-old multiparous patient with a history of overweight and chronic use of oral hormonal contraception with low doses of levonorgestrel and estradiol as the only risk factors favoring the development of thrombotic events. During her outpatient COVID-19 clinical course, she developed massive pulmonary thromboembolism resulting in secondary obstructive shock, which required pharmacological thrombolysis. At discharge, hormonal contraception was considered contraindicated, and the patient was released from our institution with continued oral anticoagulant therapy. COVID-19 infection, contraceptive hormone therapy, and overweight are known risk factors for the development of thromboembolic events. The impact of their concomitance has not been studied to date. From our experience, we discuss the impact these risk factors have when present together and invite others to report similar cases.