Emergency department diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism

Abstract

Despite advances in clinical decision support, the diagnosis, prognostic risk stratification, treatment and disposition of emergency department patients with pulmonary embolism remain challenging. The use of diagnostic risk stratification tools and D-dimer can decrease unnecessary exposure to radiation and intravenous contrast; however, D-dimer is elevated in many conditions including normal pregnancy, so imaging is often indicated. Once diagnosed, prognostic risk stratification tools can inform treatment decisions across the risk spectrum, including identifying low-risk patients with pulmonary embolism who can safely be treated at home. For patients requiring hospitalization, alternatives to unfractionated heparin can improve time to therapeutic anticoagulation and reduce treatment-related bleeding risk.

Keywords: emergency medicine; pulmonary embolism; venous thromboembolism.