Pulmonary embolism: Difference between revisions
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**ST elevations in aVR | **ST elevations in aVR | ||
**Atrial fibrillation | **Atrial fibrillation | ||
===Classification=== | |||
*Both the ESC and the AHA/ACC proposed classification of patients with acute PE into categories based on their potential risk for adverse outcomes | |||
**ESC 2019 Guidelines: Updated the 2011 AHA/ACC tool by splitting the intermediate or previously referred to as "submassive" patient group into those that present with low-risk features and those that present with high-risk features while maintaining stable hemodynamics. | |||
**AHA/ACC 2026 Guidelines: A new, 5 tier, non-validated tool using an A-E category system with multiple subcategories is presented in a way to capture higher risk patients who may not have underlying RV dysfunction or cardiac biomarker abnormalities but appear to have a higher risk for adverse outcomes as noted in their proposed D group | |||
*Categorization of PE patients allows for guidance in management decisions | |||
==Management== | ==Management== | ||
Revision as of 06:50, 21 April 2026
See pulmonary embolism in pregnancy for pregnancy specific information.[1]
Background
Pulmonary embolism is an obstruction of one of the branches of the pulmonary arteries by material; typically a thrombus
- Fat, Air, and tumor embolisms can similarly and obstruct a branch of the pulmonary artery, but are not covered in this section
- A pulmonary embolism is on the spectrum of Venous thromboembolism (VTE)
- Most emboli are thought to arise from lower extremity proximal veins (iliac, femoral, and popliteal), whereas a thrombus of the distal veins (calf) resolves spontaneously ⅔ of the time [2] [3] [4]
Epidemiology
Clinical Features
- Diagnosis of PE is challenging, with less than 10% of patients evaluated for a PE ultimately diagnosed with a PE [9]
Symptoms
- Dyspnea at rest or with exertion (75-80%)
- Chest pain (66%)
- Pleuritic pain, pain that halts respiration, is only seen in 20% of patients
- Cough
- Hemoptysis
- Unilateral calf swelling
- Syncope
- Syncope is caused by PE <5% of the time
Signs
- Tachycardia (HR>100), Tachypnea (RR>20), Hypoxemia (SpO2<95%) are seen ~50% of the time
- Hypotension (SBP<90) only seen 10% of the time, but largest predictor of mortality
- Unilateral calf tenderness or edema, suggestive of a DVT
- Other signs may include accentuated pulmonic component of second heart sound, JVD, or decreased breath sounds
Differential Diagnosis
Chest pain
Critical
- Acute coronary syndromes (ACS)
- Aortic dissection
- Cardiac tamponade
- Coronary artery dissection
- Esophageal perforation (Boerhhaave's syndrome)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Tension pneumothorax
Emergent
- Cholecystitis
- Cocaine-associated chest pain
- Mediastinitis
- Myocardial rupture
- Myocarditis
- Pancreatitis
- Pericarditis
- Pneumothorax
Nonemergent
- Aortic stenosis
- Arthritis
- Asthma exacerbation
- Biliary colic
- Costochondritis
- Esophageal spasm
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Herpes zoster / Postherpetic Neuralgia
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Hyperventilation
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Panic attack
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Pleuritis
- Pneumomediastinum
- Pneumonia
- Rib fracture
- Stable angina
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Valvular heart disease
- Muscle sprain
- Psychologic / Somatic Chest Pain
- Spinal Root Compression
- Tumor
Acute dyspnea
Emergent
- Pulmonary
- Airway obstruction
- Anaphylaxis
- Angioedema
- Aspiration
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- Asthma
- Cor pulmonale
- Epiglottitis
- Inhalation exposure
- Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema
- Pneumonia
- Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Tension pneumothorax
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis acute exacerbation
- Cystic fibrosis exacerbation
- Cardiac
- Other Associated with Normal/↑ Respiratory Effort
- Other Associated with ↓ Respiratory Effort
Non-Emergent
- ALS
- Ascites
- Uncorrected ASD
- Congenital heart disease
- COPD exacerbation
- Deconditioning
- Fever
- Hyperventilation
- Interstitial lung disease
- Neoplasm
- Obesity
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Panic attack
- Pleural effusion
- Polymyositis
- Porphyria
- Pregnancy
- Rib fracture
- Spontaneous pneumothorax
- Thyroid Disease
- URI
- Vocal cord dysfunction
Workup
ECG of a person with pulmonary embolism, showing sinus tachycardia of approximately 100 beats per minute, large S wave in Lead I, moderate Q wave in Lead III, inverted T wave in Lead III, and inverted T waves in leads V1 and V3.
Assessing Pretest Probability
- A thorough H&P is paramount to assess probability of PE
- Objective scoring systems (wells, revised Geneva) performs similarly to experienced clinician gestalt in assessing pretest probability
Wells Criteria
| Clinical Features | Points |
|---|---|
| Symptoms of DVT (leg swelling and pain with palpation) | 3.0 |
| PE as likely as or more likely than an alternative diagnosis | 3.0 |
| HR >100 bpm | 1.5 |
| Immobilization for >3 consecutive days or surgery in the previous 4 weeks | 1.5 |
| Previous DVT or PE | 1.5 |
| Hemoptysis | 1.0 |
| Malignancy (receiving treatment, treatment stopped within 6 mon, palliative care) | 1.0 |
Two Tier Wells Score
- Score 0-4 = PE Unlikely (12.1% incidence of PE)
- Check D-dimer
- If D-dimer positive then obtain CTPA or V/Q scan
- If D-dimer negative, no further workup needed (0.5% incidence of PE at 3 month follow up)
- Check D-dimer
- Score >4 = PE Likely (37.1% incidence of PE)
- Obtain CT Pulmonary Angiography or V/Q Scan
- New evidence suggests lower Wells Score with D-dimer <1000 ng/mL is effective at ruling out PE without imaging
If pretest probability of PE is low (<15%)
- Assess PERC Rule criteria,
- If all criteria are "No", very low probability of PE, and no further testing is required
- However, if even 1 criteria is met, proceed as if patient is of intermediate risk
If pretest probability of PE is intermediate (15-50%), or unable to rule out with PERC:
- Perform d-dimer testing and assess YEARS criteria
- 0 YEARS criteria and d-dimer <1000ng/mL
- PE excluded
- ≥1 YEARS criteria and d-dimer <500ng/mL, or age adjusted threshold
- PE excluded
- 0 YEARS criteria and d-dimer >1000ng/mL
- PE not excluded, perform diagnostic imaging
- ≥1 YEARS criteria and d-dimer ≥500ng/mL, or age adjusted threshold
- PE not excluded, perform diagnostic imaging
- 0 YEARS criteria and d-dimer <1000ng/mL
If pretest probability of PE is high (>50%)
- Perform diagnostic imaging
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Imaging
- Computed Tomography Pulmonary Artery (CTPA) is the standard and preferred imaging modality
- If a CTPA is unable to be obtained, a high probability ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan is sufficient
- V/Q Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is preferred over a planar V/Q scan
- SPECT combines a non-contrast CT with a planar V/Q and has equivalent sensitivity to CTPA [12]
- If a CTPA is unable to be obtained, a high probability ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan is sufficient
Additional diagnostic tools
Labs
- Typically obtained to rule out other conditions and to help with risk stratification
- Important to include troponin, BNP, lactate
Echocardiogram
- Beneficial for short term risk stratification
- POCUS is an alternative to formal transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) if TTE is unavailable
- Goal is to evaluate for RV dysfunction as these signs are predictive of mortality
D Sign[20]
CXR
- Often obtained to rule out other etiologies of chest pain and dyspnea
- Hampton's Hump
- Can be confused for a peripheral pneumonia as a wedge shaped peripheral opacity that indicates the presence of a pulmonary infarct
- Westermark's Sign
- A focal area of oligemia or reduced blood flow and increased lucency distal to the pulmonary embolism
- Hampton's Hump
ECG
- PE's can be associated with ECG changes that indicate acute pulmonary hypertension and right heart strain
- Abnormal in 70% of patients with a PE, however nonspecific [21]
- Sinus tachycardia
- Most common arrhythmia associated with PE
- Symmetric T wave inversions in the anterior leads (V1-V4)
- McGinn-White S1Q3T3 pattern
- Incomplete or complete right bundle branch block
- ST elevations in aVR
- Atrial fibrillation
- Sinus tachycardia
Classification
- Both the ESC and the AHA/ACC proposed classification of patients with acute PE into categories based on their potential risk for adverse outcomes
- ESC 2019 Guidelines: Updated the 2011 AHA/ACC tool by splitting the intermediate or previously referred to as "submassive" patient group into those that present with low-risk features and those that present with high-risk features while maintaining stable hemodynamics.
- AHA/ACC 2026 Guidelines: A new, 5 tier, non-validated tool using an A-E category system with multiple subcategories is presented in a way to capture higher risk patients who may not have underlying RV dysfunction or cardiac biomarker abnormalities but appear to have a higher risk for adverse outcomes as noted in their proposed D group
- Categorization of PE patients allows for guidance in management decisions
Management
Supportive care
- Oxygen therapy (maintain SpO2 ≥90% unless otherwise indicated)
- Hemodynamic support (e.g. IVF, pressors)
- Consider gentle fluid challenge of 500ml normal saline bolus to improve cardiac index in select patients[22]
- Experimental studies suggest that aggressive volume expansion provides little benefit and may worsen RV function in those with acutely elevated RV afterload and acutely increased pulmonary HTN[23]
Anticoagulation
- Always consider bleeding risk when determining risks/benefits of initiating anticoagulation
- Treatment options include any of the following anticoagulations which are indicated for all patients with confirmed PE or high clinical suspicion (do not wait for imaging).
| Name | LMWH SC | Unfractionated Heparin | Dabigatran | Rivaroxaban | Apixaban | Coumadin |
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- Duration
- 3-6 mo, if time limited risk factor (post-op, trauma, estrogen use)
- 6 mo to life, if idiopathic etiology or recurrent
Subsegmental PE
- Evaluate for proximal DVT in legs with ultrasound
Catheter-directed Therapy for intermediate-risk (submassive) PE[28]
- Includes catheter-directed thrombolysis and mechanical thrombus removal without thrombolysis
- Still no large prospective cohort or randomized trial evaluating CDT, so limited evidence recommendations from ACCP 2016 are weak
- Primary outcome measure in study of 59 patients was improved RV function at 24 hours, but not mortality
- Given broad clinical spectrum of intermediate-risk PE, CDT can be considered in a subset of patients with following characteristics:
- Intermediate-risk PE with more severe degree of RV dysfunction and positive biomarkers
- Intermediate-risk PE with severe hypoxemia
- High-risk (massive) PE with contraindications to systemic thrombolysis
- Complications include major access site bleeding, significant arrhythmias, pulmonary artery dissection, tamponade, worsening hemodynamics
Thrombolysis
IVC Filter
- Indications
- anticoagulation contraindicated in patient with PE
- failure to attain adequate anticoagulation during treatment
Disposition
- Patients with significant clot burden generally require admission for anticoagulation
- Consider discharge in low risk patients with peripheral PE [29]
- Risk stratify which patients can be discharged using HESTIA[30], sPESI, or PESI scores[31].
Prognosis
The Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI)[32]
- PE patients with PESI class I or II seem safe to manage as outpatients.
| Prognosis Variable | Points Assigned |
| Demographics | |
| Age | +Age in years |
| Male | +10 |
| Comorbid Conditions | |
| Cancer | +30 |
| Heart Failure | +10 |
| Chronic Lung Disease | +10 |
| Clincal Findings | |
| Pulse >110 b/min | +20 |
| sBP < 100 | +30 |
| RR > 30 | +20 |
| Temp <36 C | +20 |
| AMS | +60 |
| Art O2 Saturation <90% | +20 |
| Risk Class | 30-Day Mortality | Total Point Score |
| I | 1.60% | <65 |
| II | 3.50% | 66-85 |
| III | 7.10% | 86-105 |
| IV | 11.40% | 106-125 |
| V | 23.90% | >125 |
See Also
Thrombolytics for pulmonary embolism
- Clinical Page
- Research summary page: EBQ:Thrombolysis in Pulmonary Embolism Metanalysis
Calculators
A-a O₂ Gradient
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Age (years) | |
| FiO₂ (%) | |
| PaCO₂ (mmHg) | |
| PaO₂ (mmHg) | |
| A-a Gradient | mmHg |
| Expected A-a | mmHg (age-adjusted normal) |
|
|
Wells Score for PE
| Criteria | No | Yes | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical signs and symptoms of DVT (leg swelling, pain with palpation) | 1 | +3.0 | |
| PE is #1 diagnosis OR equally likely | 1 | +3.0 | |
| Heart rate >100 bpm | 1 | +1.5 | |
| Immobilization (≥3 days) OR surgery in previous 4 weeks | 1 | +1.5 | |
| Previous objectively diagnosed PE or DVT | 1 | +1.5 | |
| Hemoptysis | 1 | +1.0 | |
| Malignancy (treatment within 6 months or palliative) | 1 | +1.0 | |
| Wells' Score | points | ||
| 0–1 | Low Risk — 1.3% incidence of PE. Consider D-dimer to rule out. Consider PERC rule. |
|---|---|
| 2–6 | Moderate Risk — 16.2% incidence of PE. Consider high-sensitivity D-dimer or CTA. |
| >6 | High Risk — 37.5% incidence of PE. Consider CTA. D-dimer not recommended. |
| 0–4 | PE Unlikely — 12.1% incidence. Consider high-sensitivity D-dimer; if negative, stop workup. |
|---|---|
| >4 | PE Likely — 37.1% incidence. Consider CTA testing. |
| References |
|---|
|
PERC Rule
| Criteria | No (0) | Yes (+1) |
|---|---|---|
| Age ≥50 years | 1 | |
| Heart rate ≥100 bpm | 1 | |
| SpO₂ <95% on room air | 1 | |
| Unilateral leg swelling | 1 | |
| Hemoptysis | 1 | |
| Recent surgery or trauma (within 4 weeks requiring hospitalization) | 1 | |
| Prior PE or DVT | 1 | |
| Hormone use (oral contraceptives, HRT, or estrogenic hormones) | 1 | |
| Positive Criteria | / 8 | |
| Score = 0 | PERC Negative — If pre-test probability is ≤15%, PE is effectively ruled out. No further workup needed (sensitivity 97.4%, NPV 99.5%). |
|---|---|
| Score ≥ 1 | PERC Positive — Cannot rule out PE by PERC alone. Consider D-dimer, Wells' score, or CTA based on clinical suspicion. |
External Links
- ACEP Clinical Policy: Acute Venous Thromboembolic Disease (Feb 2018)
- MDCalc Simplified PESI
- MDCalc - Well's Criteria for Pulmonary Embolism
- MDCalc - PERC Rule for Pulmonary Embolism
- MDCalc - Geneva Score for Pulmonary Embolism
- MDCalc - PESI - Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index
- MDCalc - Hestia Criteria for Pulmonary Embolism
- MDCalc - HAS-BLED Score for major bleeding risk
References
- ↑ D-Dimer Concentrations in Normal Pregnancy: New Diagnostic Thresholds Are Needed. Kline et all. Clinical Chemistry May 2005 vol. 51 no. 5 825-829 http://www.clinchem.org/content/51/5/825.long
- ↑ Kearon C. Natural history of venous thromboembolism. Circulation. 2003;107(23 Suppl 1):I22-I30. doi:10.1161/01.CIR.0000078464.82671.78
- ↑ Lautz TB, Abbas F, Walsh SJ, et al. Isolated gastrocnemius and soleal vein thrombosis: should these patients receive therapeutic anticoagulation?. Ann Surg. 2010;251(4):735-742. doi:10.1097/SLA.0b013e3181c1ae95
- ↑ Macdonald PS, Kahn SR, Miller N, Obrand D. Short-term natural history of isolated gastrocnemius and soleal vein thrombosis. J Vasc Surg. 2003;37(3):523-527. doi:10.1067/mva.2003.149
- ↑ Freund Y, Cohen-Aubart F, Bloom B. Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Review. JAMA. 2022;328(13):1336-1345. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.16815
- ↑ Tsao CW, Aday AW, Almarzooq ZI, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2023 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2023;147(8):e93-e621. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001123
- ↑ Schultz J, Giordano N, Zheng H, et al. EXPRESS: A Multidisciplinary Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) - Experience from a national multicenter consortium. Pulm Circ. Published online January 11, 2019. doi:10.1177/2045894018824563
- ↑ Walls R, Hockberger R, Gausche-Hill M, Erickson TB, & Wilcox SR. (2022). Rosen's Emergency Medicine - Concepts and Clinical Practice E-Book (10th ed.). Elsevier - OHCE.
- ↑ Creager MA, Barnes GD, et al. 2026 AHA/ACC/ACCP/ACEP/CHEST/SCAI/SHM/SIR/SVM/SVN Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2026;153(12):e977-e1051. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001415
- ↑ American College of Emergency Physicians Clinical Policies Subcommittee (Writing Committee) on Thromboembolic Disease:, Wolf SJ, Hahn SA, et al. Clinical Policy: Critical Issues in the Evaluation and Management of Adult Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Suspected Acute Venous Thromboembolic Disease. Ann Emerg Med. 2018;71(5):e59-e109. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2018.03.006
- ↑ Creager MA, Barnes GD, et al. 2026 AHA/ACC/ACCP/ACEP/CHEST/SCAI/SHM/SIR/SVM/SVN Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2026;153(12):e977-e1051. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001415
- ↑ Lu Y, Lorenzoni A, Fox JJ, et al. Noncontrast perfusion single-photon emission CT/CT scanning: a new test for the expedited, high-accuracy diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism. Chest. 2014;145(5):1079-1088. doi:10.1378/chest.13-2090
- ↑ El-Menyar A, et al. Elevated serum cardiac troponin and mortality in acute pulmonary embolism: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Respiratory Medicine, 2019; 157, 26-35
- ↑ Coutance G, et al. Prognostic value of brain natriuretic peptide in acute pulmonary embolism. Crit Care. 2008;12(4):R109. doi:10.1186/cc6996
- ↑ Wang Y, et al. Prognostic role of elevated lactate in acute pulmonary embolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phlebology. 2022;37(5):338-347. doi:10.1177/02683555221081818
- ↑ Mavromanoli AC et al. Recovery of right ventricular function after intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism: results from the multicentre Pulmonary Embolism International Trial (PEITHO)-2. Clin Res Cardiol. 2023;112(10):1372-1381. doi:10.1007/s00392-022-02138-4
- ↑ Meyer G et al. Fibrinolysis for patients with intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(15):1402-1411. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1302097
- ↑ Mavromanoli AC et al. Recovery of right ventricular function after intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism: results from the multicentre Pulmonary Embolism International Trial (PEITHO)-2. Clin Res Cardiol. 2023;112(10):1372-1381. doi:10.1007/s00392-022-02138-4
- ↑ Lobo JL, et al. Prognostic significance of tricuspid annular displacement in normotensive patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism. J Thromb Haemost2014; 12: 1020–7.
- ↑ http://www.thepocusatlas.com/right-ventricle
- ↑ Shopp JD, et al. Findings From 12-lead Electrocardiography That Predict Circulatory Shock From Pulmonary Embolism: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Acad Emerg Med. 2015;22(10):1127-1137.doi:10.1111/acem.12769
- ↑ Mercat A et al. Hemodynamic effects of fluid loading in acute massive pulmonary embolism. Crit Care Med. 1999 Mar;27(3):540-4
- ↑ Konstantinides SV et al. ESC guidelines on the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism. Eur Heart J. 2014;35(43):3033-69 doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehu283
- ↑ Schulman S, Kearon C, Kakkar AK, et al. Dabigatran versus warfarin in the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism. N Engl J Med. 2009; 361(24):2342-52. Schulman S, Kakkar AK, Goldhaber SZ, et al. Treatment of acute venous thromboembolism with dabigatran or warfarin and pooled analysis. Circulation. 2014; 129(7):764-72.
- ↑ Hughes S. Rivaroxaban Stands up to standard anticoagulation for VTE treatment. Medscape Medical News. December 13, 2012.Buller HR, on behalf of the EINSTEIN Investigators. Oral rivaroxaban for the treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolism: a pooled analysis of the EINSTEIN DVT and EINSTEIN PE studies [abstract 20]. Presented at: 54th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Society of Hematology; December 8, 2012; Atlanta, Ga.
- ↑ Agnelli G, Buller HR, Cohen A, et al. Oral apixaban for the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism. N Engl J Med. 2013; 369(9):799-808.Agnelli G, Buller HR, Cohen A, Curto M, Gallus AS, Johnson M, et al. Apixaban for extended treatment of venous thromboembolism. N Engl J Med. 2013; 368(8):699-708.
- ↑ Kearon, Clive, et al. "Antithrombotic Therapy for VTE Disease: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report." Chest (2016).[fulltext]
- ↑ Kucher N et al. Randomized, controlled trial of ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis for acute intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism. Circulation. 2014 Jan 28;129(4):479-86. doi: 10.1161/circulationha.113.005544. Epub 2013 Nov 13
- ↑ Vinson DR, Zehtabchi S, Yealy DM. Can selected patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary embolism be safely treated without hospitalization? A systematic review. Ann Emerg Med. 2012; 60:651-662.
- ↑ Zondag et al. Hestia criteria can discriminate high- from low-risk patients with pulmonary embolism. European Respiratory Journal. 2013; 41:588-592.
- ↑ Maughan et al. Outpatient Treatment of Low‐risk Pulmonary Embolism in the Era of Direct Oral Anticoagulants: A Systematic Review Academic Emergency Medicine 2021; 28: 226– 239. https://doi.org/10.1111/acem.14108
- ↑ Aujesky D, Obrosky DS, Stone RA, et al. Derivation and validation of a prognostic model for pulmonary embolism. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2005;172:1041-1046.
