Evaluation of soluble P-selectin as a predictive biomarker in acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism: Insights from a prospective observational study

Eur J Haematol. 2024 Aug;113(2):201-207. doi: 10.1111/ejh.14218. Epub 2024 Apr 23.

Abstract

Background: Soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) has been proposed as a potential biomarker for venous thromboembolism (VTE) diagnosis with interesting results. However, its role in predicting early mortality in pulmonary embolism (PE) remains unexplored.

Methods: This observational, prospective, single-center study enrolled consecutive patients aged 18 or older with confirmed acute symptomatic PE and no prior anticoagulation. The study aims to assess the prognostic capacity of sP-selectin measured at the time of PE diagnosis for short-term mortality and major bleeding.

Results: A total of 196 patients, with a mean age of 69.1 years (SD 17), were included, of whom 52.6% were male. Within 30 days, 9.7% of patients (n = 19) died, and 5.1% (n = 10) suffered major bleeding. PE risk stratification revealed 4.6% (n = 9) with high-risk PE, 34.7% (n = 68) with intermediate-high-risk PE, 38.3% (n = 75) with intermediate-low-risk PE, and 22.5% (n = 44) with low-risk PE according to the European Society of Cardiology score. Mean plasma sP-selectin levels were comparable between survivors and non-survivors (489.7 ng/mL ±63 vs. 497.3 ng/mL ±51; p = .9). The ROC curve for 30-day all-cause mortality and major bleeding yielded an AUC of 0.49 (95% CI 0.36-0.63) and 0.46 (95% CI 0.24-0.68), respectively. Multivariate and survival analyses were precluded due to lack of significance.

Conclusions: sP-selectin was not useful for predicting short-term mortality or major bleeding in patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism. Further studies are required to clarify the role of sP-selectin in VTE, particularly in prognosticating PE outcomes.

Keywords: biomarkers; bleeding; mortality; pulmonary embolism; soluble P‐selectin; venous thromboembolism.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers* / blood
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / blood
  • Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Hemorrhage / mortality
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • P-Selectin* / blood
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / blood
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / mortality
  • ROC Curve

Substances

  • P-Selectin
  • Biomarkers