Statistical analyses
Statistical analysis was performed with Graphpad Instat software
(version 3 for Mac; version 11.5, GraphPad Software, Inc., La Jolla, CA,
USA). Results are expressed as numbers (%) or mean ± standard deviation
(range). Continuous variables were compared with Student’s t test or the
Mann–Whitney U test, as appropriate, whereas categorical variables were
compared with chi-square tests. The change from baseline to follow-up of
both the RV/LV ratio and the embolic burden score was assessed using
one-way, repeated measures analysis or variance for respiratory
parameters using ANOVA. A p-value <0.05 was considered
statistically significant.