BackTable / VI / Podcast / Episode #261
Essentials of a Multidisciplinary Team for PE
with Dr. Rohit Amin
In this episode, host Dr. Aaron Fritts interviews interventional cardiologist Dr. Rohit Amin about his private practice PE response team, including his treatment algorithm, follow-up protocol, and how he believes AI can contribute to PE care.
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BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2022, November 14). Ep. 261 – Essentials of a Multidisciplinary Team for PE [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com
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Podcast Contributors
Dr. Rohit Amin
Dr. Rohit Amin is an interventional cardiologist with Ascension Medical Group in Pensacola, Florida.
Dr. Aaron Fritts
Dr. Aaron Fritts is a Co-Founder of BackTable and a practicing interventional radiologist in Dallas, Texas.
Synopsis
Dr. Amin trained at Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, and now works in private practice in Pensacola, Florida. He and a partner decided to start a PE response team (PERT) to better serve patients in the area and expand their practice. It took a lot of groundwork. They had to pitch it to administration and raise awareness, which they did by hosting CME such as grand rounds. They struggled to get a pulmonologist on board in 2013 when there was less clinical data and guidelines.
Next, we discuss how the PERT algorithm functions in his private practice. An ER doctor or hospitalist evaluates the patient first. If the CT shows proximal thrombus, the PERT is notified. If it is a massive PE or submassive with clinical severity, he does thrombectomy promptly. If there is no elevated troponin and normal hemodynamics, the patient gets admitted and evaluated with a stat echo and venous doppler. Dr. Amin’s practice prefers an echo with PE protocol to risk stratify RV dysfunction - i.e. RV size, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). He also evaluates pulmonary artery (PA) pressure, PA saturation, and cardiac index which are important clinical factors that determine the optimal route of intervention. For patients with submassive PE who get admitted overnight, he gives all patients a heparinoid, preferably lovenox over heparin. He sees the patient in the morning and if the clot is submassive or proximal, he does a thrombectomy that day.
Lastly, we cover the importance of treating PE and how Dr. Amin approaches longitudinal follow up. Dr. Amin refers to the ICOPER trial that showed that the 30 day mortality for submassive PE is 15%, higher than that of NSTEMIs. If a PE is left untreated or if treatment is significantly delayed, a patient can develop post-PE syndrome or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), which significantly worsen morbidity and mortality. Dr. Amin treats his PE / DVT patients with one week of lovenox before transitioning to a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC). He sees them in the office in one month and gets an echo at 3 months. He then sees patients semi-annually or annually for 3-5 years.
Resources
BackTable Episode 196:
https://www.backtable.com/shows/vi/podcasts/196/building-a-pe-response-team
PERT Consortium:
https://pertconsortium.org
ICOPER Trial:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(98)07534-5/fulltext
Disclaimer: The Materials available on BackTable.com are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.