Pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) can be life-threatening and difficult to diagnosis due to its non-specific signs and symptoms. Because of the uncertainty in diagnosis and potential morbidity and mortality of missed diagnosis, investigation of patients with a suspected PE has increased dramatically. However, the overuse and inappropriate application of some tests for investigation of PE, in particular computer tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) and plasma D-dimer, may not improve patient care, whilst potentially exposing patients to unnecessary harm and incurring expense.

• PE Evaluation Pathway

• Risk of Bleeding

• Risk of Recurrent VTE

• PE Evaluation in the Pregnant Patient

  Click here for an approach to PE work up, an alogrithm and further information

• D-Dimer

• References

  Click here for cited references

Acknowledgements

These guidelines were developed based on work done by Dr Mark Newcombe Emergency and retrieval Specialist Illawarra.