Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore whether the coronary sinus (CS) diameter to the inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter (CS/IVC) ratio measured by computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) can be used to predict pulmonary embolism (PE) and its relationship with worse clinical outcomes.

Methods: Our study included 198 patients. Study patients were divided into groups according to the presence of PE. CS and IVC diameters were measured using CTPA. While PE was not detected in 132 patients, it was detected in 66 patients.

Results: The CS/IVC ratio (78.3±18.8% and 49.3±17.2%, p<0.001) was higher in the PE group. The CS/IVC ratio was established as a predictor of PE (odds ratio: 4.189, 95% confidence interval: 1.990-8.819, p<0.001). The cut-off value for the CS/IVC ratio value was ≥60.8 (sensitivity: 86.4%, specificity: 77.3%, positive predictive value: 66.67%, and negative predictive value: 94.44%) in PE. It was observed that clinical outcomes were higher in patients with CS/IVC ratio ≥60.8%.

Conclusion: The CS/IVC ratio was predictive of PE in patients diagnosed with acute PE. The CS/IVC ratio may be useful in estimating patients hospitalized for PE who require close monitoring.