Prometheus-Study: Follow-up

In a systematic review, it was shows that more than 50% of all patients with a
pulmonary embolism have incomplete resolution of the embolism, 6 months after
diagnosis. The studies differed largely in patient selection, duration of
treatment, imaging test and timing of follow-up scan.
It is currently not very well known which patients will get recurrent pulmonary
embolism and chronic thrombo-embolic hypertension and the reason they develop
these complications
An increased D-dimer level after stopping anticoagulant treatment was
associated with increased risk of recurrence in patients with deep vein
thrombosis. It is unknown how D-dimer levels behave during treatment. ideally,
levels of blood coagulation activation, measured during treatment, could
simplify decisions for duration of treatment.

To assess the extent of pulmonary thrombo-embolic obstruction and
cardiopulmonary function at presentation and after 6 months of anticoagulant
treatment in patients with an acute pulmonary embolism. To assess risk factors
for persistent obstruction and/or recurrent pulmonary embolism or deep vein
thrombosis. And assess the incidence of recurrent pulmonary embolism and
chronic thrombo-embolic hypertension.

A prospective multi-center cohort study.
Twelve hospitals are participating in this study.

A second CT-scan is performed after 6 months of anticoagulant treatment. The
effective radiation dose of a single CT scan varies between 2.8 and 3.9 mSV,
and this constitutes the amount of additional radiation as a consequence of
this study. Risk of this additional radiation depends on the age of the patient.
At the same as the CT-scan an appointment is made for blood sampling and two
questionnaires.
One month after the second scan, a visit is planned for control and blood
sampling.
After this a half yearly follow-up is planned, this will be done by an
interview by telephone about quality of life and cardio-pulmonary function.