: Tools such as the Wells Score or Geneva Score assess pre-test probability. The PERC (Pulmonary Embolism Rule-out Criteria) is used to safely exclude PE in low-risk patients without further testing.
: D-dimer testing is highly sensitive for ruling out PE in low-to-intermediate risk patients. Cardiac biomarkers like Troponin and BNP help assess myocardial injury and RV strain.
: When thrombolysis is contraindicated or fails, options include catheter-directed thrombectomy or surgical embolectomy. Prognosis and Follow-Up Download Embolie pulmonaire aiguГ« pdf
: Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiography ( CTPA ) is the gold standard for confirmation. Ventilation-perfusion (
: Roughly 70% to 80% of emboli arise from proximal deep veins in the legs or pelvis. : Tools such as the Wells Score or
Patients with a first episode of unprovoked PE usually require anticoagulation for at least 3 to 6 months. Extended therapy may be necessary if persistent risk factors exist. Long-term monitoring is essential to detect rare complications like , which can present as persistent breathlessness months after the initial event.
Treatment strategies are dictated by the patient's hemodynamic stability and risk category. Cardiac biomarkers like Troponin and BNP help assess
: For high-risk (hemodynamically unstable) patients, systemic thrombolysis (e.g., Alteplase) is recommended to rapidly dissolve the clot.