Risk factors for pulmonary cement embolism associated with percutaneous vertebral augmentation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Pulmonary cement embolism (PCE) was a rare but fatal complication for percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA). Thus we did a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies to investigate the risk factors for PCE after PVA. We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Google Scholar, web of science, and ClinicalTrial.gov from the establishment of the database to September 2021. All eligible studies assessing the risk factors for PCE after PVA were incorporated. Dichotomous data was calculated by risk difference (RD) from Mantel-Haenszel method (M − H method); continuous data was analyzed by mean difference (MD) from Inverse-Variance method (I–V method). All variables were taken as measure of effect by fixed effect model. Heterogeneity, sensitivity, and publication bias analyses were also performed. This study totally included 13 studies. According to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), 7 studies were considered as low quality, with NOS< 6. The others were of relatively high quality, with NOS≥6. 144/6251 patients (2.3%) had PCE after PVA. percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) (RD = 0.02, 95%CI: [0.01, 0.04], Z = 3.70, P < 0.01), thoracic vertebra (RD = 0.03, 95%CI: [0.01, 0.05], Z = 3.53, P < 0.01), higher cement volume injected per level (MD = 0.23, 95%CI: [0.05, 0.42], Z = 2.44, P = 0.01), more than three vertebrae treated per session (MD = −0.05, 95%CI: [-0.08, −0.02], Z = 3.65, P < 0.01), venous cement leakage (RD = 0.07, 95%CI: [0.03, 0.11], Z = 3.79, P < 0.01) were more likely to cause PCE. This study showed that risk factors for PCE included PVP, thoracic vertebra, higher cement volume injected per level, more than three vertebrae treated per session, venous cement leakage. As a serious complication, PCE should be paid attention and avoided.