Search for a command to run...
<b>Background</b> There is scarce information regarding the prevalence and clinical impact of saddle pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with cancer. <b>Objectives</b> This study aimed to assess the prevalence, clinical findings, and short-term outcomes of patients with cancer-related saddle PE including acute symptomatic and unsuspected events. <b>Patients/Methods</b> Consecutive patients with cancer-related PE (March 1, 2006-October 31, 2014) were retrospectively reviewed by a chest radiologist to assess PE burden and signs of right ventricular (RV) overload. The clinical outcomes within 30 days were evaluated according to saddle versus nonsaddle PE. <b>Results</b> Thirty-six (12%) out of 289 patients with newly diagnosed cancer-related PE presented with saddle PE. Saddle PE was found in 21 cases (58%) with acute symptomatic PE and the remaining 15 cases (42%) were found as unsuspected findings. Patients with saddle PE had more frequently experienced a previous thrombotic event (31 vs. 13%; <i>p</i> = 0.008), and it occurred more frequently as an acute symptomatic event (58 vs. 39%; <i>p</i> = 0.025) compared with those with nonsaddle PE. Signs of RV overload including RV/left ventricle ratio ≥1 (22 vs. 4%; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and interventricular septum displacement (53 vs. 20%; <i>p</i> < 0.001) were also more common in patients with saddle PE compared with nonsaddle PE. Overall, PE-related mortality, venous thromboembolism recurrence, and major bleeding within 30 days were found to be similar according to saddle versus nonsaddle PE. <b>Conclusion</b> Saddle PE is not uncommon in patients with cancer-related PE including in those with unsuspected PE. Similar 30-day outcomes were found according to saddle versus nonsaddle PE in our cohort.