Comparison of half-dose alteplase and LMWH in intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism: a single-center observational study

Abstract Background and aim The use of thrombolytics in intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism (PE) remains controversial. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of half-dose alteplase compared to anticoagulation with LMWH in this group. Material and methods Patients treated with thrombolyt...

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Main Authors: Ömer Selim Selim Unat, Pervin Korkmaz, Akın Çinkooğlu, Özge Can, Elton Soydan, Selen Bayraktaroğlu, Gürsel Çok, Recep Savaş, Funda Karbek Akarca, Sanem Nalbantgil, Celal Çinar, Mehmet Uyar, Kubilay Demirağ, Tahir Yağdi, Çağatay Engin, Münevver Erdinç, Feza Bacakoğlu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-07-01
Series:The Egyptian Heart Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43044-025-00669-5
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author Ömer Selim Selim Unat
Pervin Korkmaz
Akın Çinkooğlu
Özge Can
Elton Soydan
Selen Bayraktaroğlu
Gürsel Çok
Recep Savaş
Funda Karbek Akarca
Sanem Nalbantgil
Celal Çinar
Mehmet Uyar
Kubilay Demirağ
Tahir Yağdi
Çağatay Engin
Münevver Erdinç
Feza Bacakoğlu
author_facet Ömer Selim Selim Unat
Pervin Korkmaz
Akın Çinkooğlu
Özge Can
Elton Soydan
Selen Bayraktaroğlu
Gürsel Çok
Recep Savaş
Funda Karbek Akarca
Sanem Nalbantgil
Celal Çinar
Mehmet Uyar
Kubilay Demirağ
Tahir Yağdi
Çağatay Engin
Münevver Erdinç
Feza Bacakoğlu
author_sort Ömer Selim Selim Unat
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background and aim The use of thrombolytics in intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism (PE) remains controversial. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of half-dose alteplase compared to anticoagulation with LMWH in this group. Material and methods Patients treated with thrombolytics (50 mg alteplase) after the establishment of EGEPET (2.10.2018) formed the prospective group, while the retrospective group included patients treated with LMWH (enoxaparin) before EGEPET. Primary outcomes were one-month and one-year mortality. Secondary outcomes were vital sign changes after thrombolysis, hemorrhagic events, recurrence of embolism, chronic pulmonary thromboembolism (CPTE), and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Results Thrombolytic group (n = 59) and anticoagulation group (n = 38) were similar in age, comorbidities, and vital signs, except for higher pulse rates in the thrombolytic group. In the thrombolytic group, PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio significantly improved [330 (270–380) to 417 (351–447), p < 0.001], and pulse rate decreased [116 (105–127) to 91 (80–104), p < 0.001]. In the anticoagulation group, oxygenation showed no significant change, but pulse rate improved. No major bleeding occurred in either group. One-month mortality was 6.7% in the thrombolytic group and 15.8% in the anticoagulation group (p = 0.18). One-year mortality was 13.7% and 26.3%, respectively (p = 0.17). Advanced age (> 67) (OR: 8.82, %95 CI 1.54 – 50.53 p = 0.014) and elevated second-day pulse > 94/min (OR 7.61, 95% CI 1.33–43.49, p = 0.022) were independent predictors of one-month mortality in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion Thrombolytic therapy significantly improved oxygenation and clinical findings without major complications. Although mortality rates were lower in the thrombolytic group, the difference was not statistically significant. These results should be interpreted with caution, and larger prospective studies are needed to confirm the clinical efficacy and safety of thrombolytic therapy in this patient population.
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series The Egyptian Heart Journal
spelling doaj-art-4591f9a2371548da846a8d5edf57fd872025-08-20T03:46:25ZengSpringerOpenThe Egyptian Heart Journal2090-911X2025-07-0177111010.1186/s43044-025-00669-5Comparison of half-dose alteplase and LMWH in intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism: a single-center observational studyÖmer Selim Selim Unat0Pervin Korkmaz1Akın Çinkooğlu2Özge Can3Elton Soydan4Selen Bayraktaroğlu5Gürsel Çok6Recep Savaş7Funda Karbek Akarca8Sanem Nalbantgil9Celal Çinar10Mehmet Uyar11Kubilay Demirağ12Tahir Yağdi13Çağatay Engin14Münevver Erdinç15Feza Bacakoğlu16Dr. Suat Seren Göğüs Hastalıkları HastanesiEge UniversityEge UniversityEge UniversityEge UniversityEge UniversityEge UniversityEge UniversityEge UniversityEge UniversityEge UniversityEge UniversityEge UniversityEge UniversityEge UniversityEge UniversityEge UniversityAbstract Background and aim The use of thrombolytics in intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism (PE) remains controversial. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of half-dose alteplase compared to anticoagulation with LMWH in this group. Material and methods Patients treated with thrombolytics (50 mg alteplase) after the establishment of EGEPET (2.10.2018) formed the prospective group, while the retrospective group included patients treated with LMWH (enoxaparin) before EGEPET. Primary outcomes were one-month and one-year mortality. Secondary outcomes were vital sign changes after thrombolysis, hemorrhagic events, recurrence of embolism, chronic pulmonary thromboembolism (CPTE), and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Results Thrombolytic group (n = 59) and anticoagulation group (n = 38) were similar in age, comorbidities, and vital signs, except for higher pulse rates in the thrombolytic group. In the thrombolytic group, PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio significantly improved [330 (270–380) to 417 (351–447), p < 0.001], and pulse rate decreased [116 (105–127) to 91 (80–104), p < 0.001]. In the anticoagulation group, oxygenation showed no significant change, but pulse rate improved. No major bleeding occurred in either group. One-month mortality was 6.7% in the thrombolytic group and 15.8% in the anticoagulation group (p = 0.18). One-year mortality was 13.7% and 26.3%, respectively (p = 0.17). Advanced age (> 67) (OR: 8.82, %95 CI 1.54 – 50.53 p = 0.014) and elevated second-day pulse > 94/min (OR 7.61, 95% CI 1.33–43.49, p = 0.022) were independent predictors of one-month mortality in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion Thrombolytic therapy significantly improved oxygenation and clinical findings without major complications. Although mortality rates were lower in the thrombolytic group, the difference was not statistically significant. These results should be interpreted with caution, and larger prospective studies are needed to confirm the clinical efficacy and safety of thrombolytic therapy in this patient population.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43044-025-00669-5Pulmonary embolismIntermediate-high riskThrombolysisHalf-dose alteplaseLow molecular Weight heparinReal-life study
spellingShingle Ömer Selim Selim Unat
Pervin Korkmaz
Akın Çinkooğlu
Özge Can
Elton Soydan
Selen Bayraktaroğlu
Gürsel Çok
Recep Savaş
Funda Karbek Akarca
Sanem Nalbantgil
Celal Çinar
Mehmet Uyar
Kubilay Demirağ
Tahir Yağdi
Çağatay Engin
Münevver Erdinç
Feza Bacakoğlu
Comparison of half-dose alteplase and LMWH in intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism: a single-center observational study
The Egyptian Heart Journal
Pulmonary embolism
Intermediate-high risk
Thrombolysis
Half-dose alteplase
Low molecular Weight heparin
Real-life study
title Comparison of half-dose alteplase and LMWH in intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism: a single-center observational study
title_full Comparison of half-dose alteplase and LMWH in intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism: a single-center observational study
title_fullStr Comparison of half-dose alteplase and LMWH in intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism: a single-center observational study
title_full_unstemmed Comparison of half-dose alteplase and LMWH in intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism: a single-center observational study
title_short Comparison of half-dose alteplase and LMWH in intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism: a single-center observational study
title_sort comparison of half dose alteplase and lmwh in intermediate high risk pulmonary embolism a single center observational study
topic Pulmonary embolism
Intermediate-high risk
Thrombolysis
Half-dose alteplase
Low molecular Weight heparin
Real-life study
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43044-025-00669-5
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