Effect of HDL level on thrombus resolution in pulmonary embolism

Recurrent thrombosis and lack of enough resolution of pulmonary emboli may lead to the development of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of initial, 10th-day and 6th-month lipid profile values with the changes in the pulmonary artery obstruction index in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE).
Twenty-eight patients diagnosed with PE were included in the study. Fifteen of them were treated using thrombolytic agents, and 13 of them were treated using conventional treatment. Pulmonary artery obstruction index of all patients was calculated after they underwent pulmonary computed tomography (CT) angiography. Arterial blood gas analysis and echocardiography were performed and lipid profile levels were analyzed during initial diagnosis and repeated on the 10th day and 6th month of the treatment.
A significant positive correlation was found between HDL and percent change in pulmonary artery obstruction index. The patients with a high level of HDL showed better emboli resolution (P = 0.013). Higher age and lower percent change in the 10th-day pulmonary artery obstruction showed a positive correlation with the persistence of embolism in the 6th month.
Patients with lower HDL levels are at risk of recurrent embolic events and even chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, which can be prevented by HDL augmentation.