UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: BOVA score for PE prediction

Category: Pulmonary

Keywords: pulmonary embolism, BOVA Sscore, intervention (PubMed Search)

Posted: 7/11/2024 by Robert Flint, MD (Updated: 7/14/2024)
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The Bova score has been validated to predict mortality and complications in hemodynamically stable patients with intermediate to high-risk pulmonary embolisms. There is some literature on using the Bova score to decide on thrombolytics/interventional therapy as well.

Scoring Criteria:

Score 2: Systolic Blood Pressure 90-100 mmHg
Score 2: Elevated cardiac Troponin
Score 2: Right Ventricular Dysfunction
1. Right Ventricle to Left Ventricle ratio >0.9
2. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure >30 mmHg
3. Right ventricular free wall hypokinesis
4. Right ventricular dilatation (e.g. D-Sign)
Score 1: Heart Rate >=110 bmp

Interpretation:

Stage 1: Bova Score 0-2 (low risk)
1. Mortality at 30 days: 3.1%
2. PE Related Complications: 4.4%
Stage 2: Bova Score 2-4 (intermediate risk)
1. Mortality at 30 days: 6.8%
2. PE Related Complications: 18%
Stage 3: Bova Score >4 (high risk)
1. Mortality at 30 days: 10%
2. PE Related Complications: 42%

UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: BOVA score for PE prediction

References