Association of initial national early warning score with clinical deterioration in pulmonary embolism

Abstract Background The National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) predicts clinical deterioration in hospitalized patients. Its role in pulmonary embolism (PE) risk stratification remains underexplored. This study assessed the association of initial NEWS2 with clinical deterioration and advanced interven...

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Main Authors: Anthony J. Weekes, Fernanda Calienescerpa, Kelly L. Goonan, Alexa L. Polzella, Melanie M. Hogg, Dalton Cox, Sean Flannigan, Emma Cruz, Halie A. O’Neill, Nathaniel S. O’Connell, Daniel R. Troha
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Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Thrombosis Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12959-025-00735-7
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author Anthony J. Weekes
Fernanda Calienescerpa
Kelly L. Goonan
Alexa L. Polzella
Melanie M. Hogg
Dalton Cox
Sean Flannigan
Emma Cruz
Halie A. O’Neill
Nathaniel S. O’Connell
Daniel R. Troha
author_facet Anthony J. Weekes
Fernanda Calienescerpa
Kelly L. Goonan
Alexa L. Polzella
Melanie M. Hogg
Dalton Cox
Sean Flannigan
Emma Cruz
Halie A. O’Neill
Nathaniel S. O’Connell
Daniel R. Troha
author_sort Anthony J. Weekes
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) predicts clinical deterioration in hospitalized patients. Its role in pulmonary embolism (PE) risk stratification remains underexplored. This study assessed the association of initial NEWS2 with clinical deterioration and advanced interventions during hospitalization. Methods We retrospectively analyzed a PE response team (PERT) registry of adults with submassive and massive PE from 11 emergency departments (2016–2024). Initial NEWS2 was calculated for each registry patient. The primary outcome was in-hospital PE-related clinical deterioration (death, cardiac arrest, vasoactive medications for hypotension, or emergent respiratory interventions). The secondary outcome was advanced intervention use. We calculated odds ratios (OR) for different NEWS2 cut-offs. We used multivariable analysis to assess the association of NEWS2 and study outcomes, and decision curve analysis to determine net benefit of clinical deterioration. Results Among 2119 patients (mean age 62.2 [16.8], 51.2% female, 168 [7.9%] with massive PE, and 1951 [92.1%] with submassive PE), 309 patients (14.6%) experienced clinical deterioration and 488 (23.0%) required advanced interventions. Mean NEWS2 was higher in patients with vs. without clinical deterioration (6.0 ± 3.3 vs. 3.0 ± 2.4; p < 0.001) and in those with vs. without advanced interventions (4.8 ± 3.1 vs. 3.0 ± 2.5; p < 0.001). NEWS2 cut-off of ≥ 3 identified patients at risk of clinical deterioration: sensitivity 87% (82–90%), OR 6.1 (95% CI: 4.3–8.5), and negative predictive value (NPV) 96% (94–97%). NEWS2 cut-off ≥ 4 had specificity of 62% (60–65%), OR of 5.1 (95% CI: 3.9–6.7), and NPV of 94% (92–95%). As a continuous variable, NEWS2 had an OR of 1.2 (95% CI: 1.1–1.3). NEWS2 cut-offs from 3 to 5 showed an improved net benefit (0.08, 0.16, and 0.34) compared with treating all patients as high risk for clinical deterioration. Conclusion Patients with PE and initial NEWS2 scores ≥ 3 had a four-fold to eight-fold higher odds of clinical deterioration than those with NEWS2 < 3. NEWS2 is useful for predicting clinical deterioration and guiding intervention strategies in PE.
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spelling doaj-art-19eeb5375ef74264bdf84518acfa89772025-08-20T01:51:32ZengBMCThrombosis Journal1477-95602025-05-0123111610.1186/s12959-025-00735-7Association of initial national early warning score with clinical deterioration in pulmonary embolismAnthony J. Weekes0Fernanda Calienescerpa1Kelly L. Goonan2Alexa L. Polzella3Melanie M. Hogg4Dalton Cox5Sean Flannigan6Emma Cruz7Halie A. O’Neill8Nathaniel S. O’Connell9Daniel R. Troha10Department of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical CenterDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical CenterDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical CenterDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical CenterDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical CenterDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical CenterDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical CenterDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical CenterDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical CenterDepartment of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest School of MedicineDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical CenterAbstract Background The National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) predicts clinical deterioration in hospitalized patients. Its role in pulmonary embolism (PE) risk stratification remains underexplored. This study assessed the association of initial NEWS2 with clinical deterioration and advanced interventions during hospitalization. Methods We retrospectively analyzed a PE response team (PERT) registry of adults with submassive and massive PE from 11 emergency departments (2016–2024). Initial NEWS2 was calculated for each registry patient. The primary outcome was in-hospital PE-related clinical deterioration (death, cardiac arrest, vasoactive medications for hypotension, or emergent respiratory interventions). The secondary outcome was advanced intervention use. We calculated odds ratios (OR) for different NEWS2 cut-offs. We used multivariable analysis to assess the association of NEWS2 and study outcomes, and decision curve analysis to determine net benefit of clinical deterioration. Results Among 2119 patients (mean age 62.2 [16.8], 51.2% female, 168 [7.9%] with massive PE, and 1951 [92.1%] with submassive PE), 309 patients (14.6%) experienced clinical deterioration and 488 (23.0%) required advanced interventions. Mean NEWS2 was higher in patients with vs. without clinical deterioration (6.0 ± 3.3 vs. 3.0 ± 2.4; p < 0.001) and in those with vs. without advanced interventions (4.8 ± 3.1 vs. 3.0 ± 2.5; p < 0.001). NEWS2 cut-off of ≥ 3 identified patients at risk of clinical deterioration: sensitivity 87% (82–90%), OR 6.1 (95% CI: 4.3–8.5), and negative predictive value (NPV) 96% (94–97%). NEWS2 cut-off ≥ 4 had specificity of 62% (60–65%), OR of 5.1 (95% CI: 3.9–6.7), and NPV of 94% (92–95%). As a continuous variable, NEWS2 had an OR of 1.2 (95% CI: 1.1–1.3). NEWS2 cut-offs from 3 to 5 showed an improved net benefit (0.08, 0.16, and 0.34) compared with treating all patients as high risk for clinical deterioration. Conclusion Patients with PE and initial NEWS2 scores ≥ 3 had a four-fold to eight-fold higher odds of clinical deterioration than those with NEWS2 < 3. NEWS2 is useful for predicting clinical deterioration and guiding intervention strategies in PE.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12959-025-00735-7Pulmonary embolismClinical deteriorationRisk stratificationInterventionMortalityNational early warning score
spellingShingle Anthony J. Weekes
Fernanda Calienescerpa
Kelly L. Goonan
Alexa L. Polzella
Melanie M. Hogg
Dalton Cox
Sean Flannigan
Emma Cruz
Halie A. O’Neill
Nathaniel S. O’Connell
Daniel R. Troha
Association of initial national early warning score with clinical deterioration in pulmonary embolism
Thrombosis Journal
Pulmonary embolism
Clinical deterioration
Risk stratification
Intervention
Mortality
National early warning score
title Association of initial national early warning score with clinical deterioration in pulmonary embolism
title_full Association of initial national early warning score with clinical deterioration in pulmonary embolism
title_fullStr Association of initial national early warning score with clinical deterioration in pulmonary embolism
title_full_unstemmed Association of initial national early warning score with clinical deterioration in pulmonary embolism
title_short Association of initial national early warning score with clinical deterioration in pulmonary embolism
title_sort association of initial national early warning score with clinical deterioration in pulmonary embolism
topic Pulmonary embolism
Clinical deterioration
Risk stratification
Intervention
Mortality
National early warning score
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12959-025-00735-7
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