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.