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NCT Number: NCT01898637

A Simple Clinical Tool to Help Diagnose Pulmonary Embolism: Phase 1

The goal of this project is to determine if the change in oxygen saturation during deep inspiration ("augmented pulse oximetry") can be used as a method to rule out pulmonary embolism (PE). The investigators propose to evaluate a simple, non-invasive clinical tool to help rule out PE. The investigators plan to measure the oxygen saturation of 40 consecutive patients with newly-diagnosed PE (within 60 minutes of diagnosis) and 80 matched controls who do not have a PE. Trained, blinded Respiratory Therapists or Study Coordinators will record each patient's oxygen saturation before, during, and after a 2-minute period of deep inspirations (vital capacity [the maximal amount of air that can be inhaled, measured in milliliters]) using an incentive spirometer. The investigators' central hypothesis is that persons with a PE will not respond to augmented pulse oximetry and will not significantly improve or normalize their oxygen saturation.

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Key information

Conditions

Pulmonary Embolism Cardiovascular Diseases Disease Attributes Embolism Embolism and Thrombosis Emergencies Hypoxia Lung Diseases Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Respiratory Tract Diseases Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Mayo Clinic

Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States

About this study

Patients will be identified and enrolled by the Mayo Clinic St. Marys Emergency Department staff as they are undergoing medical care in the Emergency Department.

The investigators will calculate the difference in oxygen saturation pre- and post-deep inspiration (ΔSpO2 at 1 minute, 2 minutes and 4 minutes), and then correlate these values with the CT result.

In cases of PE, The investigators expect the SpO2 to remain unchanged, or to change less than 3-5%. The investigators expect alternate hypoxemic conditions to have a significantly greater increase in SpO2.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 18 years of age or greater.
  • Agrees and able to participate in the study.
  • Room air SpO2 (oxygen saturation) less than 92% and newly-diagnosed PE (or controls with no PE) based on CT angiogram result.

Exclusion criteria

  • Clinical concern for instability.
  • Systolic blood pressure less than 100 mm Hg.
  • Heart rate ≥140 beats per minute.
  • Oxygen saturation less than 85% with more than 4 L supplemental oxygen.
  • Unable to participate/comply with instructions for using the incentive spirometer.
  • Patients from the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota.
  • Patients who do not speak English (due to the need for expediency).

Patients will be under the care of the Emergency Department team who have the skills and resources to monitor and treat patients if they were to become unstable.

Treatment and study plan

Augmented pulse oximetry using incentive spirometer.

Other

Augmented pulse oximetry using incentive spirometer.

Incentive spirometer.

Device

The incentive spirometer is a simple passive device that measures the amount of air a person can inhale.

Other names: AirLife Volumetric Incentive Spirometer.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in oxygen saturation using augmented pulse oximetry for patients with and without pulmonary embolism.

    Time frame: Oxygen saturation (SpO2) will be recorded prior to using the spirometer, at 1 minute (during use of the spirometer), at 2 minutes (at the end of using the spirometer), and at 4 minutes.

    Trained, blinded Respiratory Therapists or Study Coordinators will record each patient's oxygen saturation before, during, and after a 2-minute period of deep inspirations (vital capacity) using an incentive spirometer. The investigators will calculate the difference in oxygen saturation pre- and post-deep inspiration (ΔSpO2 at 1 minute, 2 minutes and 4 minutes), and then correlate these values with the CT result.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Vital capacity (the maximal amount of air that can be inhaled, measured in milliliters) during augmented pulse oximetry.

    Time frame: The single maximum value obtained prior to using the spirometer, at 1 minute (during use of the spirometer), at 2 minutes (at the end of using the spirometer), and at 4 minutes.

    The single maximum value obtained before, during, or after use of the incentive spirometer.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Mayo Clinic

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jul 12, 2013
Registry last updated
Mar 28, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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