Unmet needs in diagnostics of acute pulmonary embolism and their determinants in Polish hospitals.

Abstract

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) represents the third most common acute cardiovascular disease in Poland, posing an increasing burden on healthcare systems.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the availability of diagnostic methods and unmet needs in APE diagnosis in Polish hospitals.

Methods: An online survey prepared using the modified Delphi method was distributed to hospital departments for completion by physicians. In this analysis, we assessed the full set of responses to questions related to the availability of diagnostic tests and the unmet needs in APE diagnostics.

Results: We received 204 full sets of responses. Round-the-clock access to echocardiography and ultrasonographic compression tests was declared by 119 (58.3%) and 89 (43.6%) respondents, respectively. A group of 171 (83.82%) respondents reported 24-hour access to computed tomography angiography (angio-CT). However, only 13 (6.4%) declared routine availability to the measurement of the right ventricle to left ventricle ratio in angio-CT reports. Most respondents did not have (88; 43.1%) access to Pulmonary Embolism Response Team consultations or were unaware of this option (41; 20.1%). The risk of death in APE was most commonly attributed to the diagnosis of a "saddle embolism" (n = 152; 74.5%). Relatively rarely (n = 102; 50%) was high importance attributed to multiparametric risk assessment scores.

Conclusions: Our study indicates a need for improving the organization and accessibility of APE diagnostics in Polish hospitals and increasing awareness of current standards in APE diagnosis among physicians.