: 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.
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. Download Embolie pulmonaire aiguГ« pdf
: Obstruction causes a ventilation-to-perfusion ( ) mismatch, leading to hypoxemia and respiratory distress. Diagnostic Framework : Tools such as the Wells Score or
Diagnosis is often challenging because symptoms like dyspnea and chest pain are non-specific. Extended therapy may be necessary if persistent risk
: Computed Tomographic Pulmonary Angiography ( CTPA ) is the gold standard for confirmation. Ventilation-perfusion (
) scans are alternatives for patients with renal issues or contrast allergies. Management and Treatment
: Once a clot lodges in the pulmonary vascular bed, it increases pulmonary vascular resistance, which can lead to acute right ventricular (RV) failure and hemodynamic collapse.