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    Poster Networking

    Pediatrics

    Poster Networking Session

    PB0279 - Intermediate- and high-risk pulmonary embolism in pediatric tertiary care centers in the Netherlands. Is there a need for a pediatric PERT?

    Sunday, June 25, 2023
    18:30 – 19:30 ET
    Room: Exhibition
    Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the adult population, especially within the group who present with high-risk PE. Therefore, pulmonary embolism response teams (PERTs) are increasingly being established to provide fast and optimal treatment for patients with acute PE. Data on pediatric PE are sparse and worldwide only a few institutions have created a pediatric PERT.

    Aims: To evaluate the incidence, type, treatment and outcome of pediatric patients with intermediate- and high-risk PE in the Netherlands, who might benefit from the multidisciplinary approach of a PERT in PE treatment.

    Methods: Retrospective chart review of children (age 0-18 years) treated for acute PE in three large pediatric tertiary care centers in the Netherlands between 2012 and 2022. Collected data included type of venous thromboembolic event (VTE), age, gender, risk factors, presenting symptoms, simplified pulmonary embolism severity index (sPESI), echocardiography and laboratory results, treatment and outcome. PE postmortem was excluded.

    Results: PE was diagnosed in 98 (9.3%) of 1051 pediatric patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE): intermediate-risk in 12 (12.2%) and high-risk in 11 (11.2%) patients. The median age was 14 years and 13 years, respectively, and 16/23 (69.6%) were female. (Table 1) Thrombolysis or surgical/endovascular thrombectomy were performed in 5 (42%) intermediate- and 11 (100%) high-risk PE patients. Anticoagulation monotherapy was given successfully to 7 (58%) intermediate-risk PE patients.(Figure 1) Two high-risk PE patients died, one directly related due to PE.

    Conclusion(s): A significant part of all pediatric PE consisted of intermediate- and high-risk PE, indicating a potential need for a pediatric PERT. However, due to the small numbers the additional efficacy and usefulness of a specific pediatric PERT need to be further evaluated in these centers and the pediatric population in general.