Medical Management Of Pulmonary Embolism

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) can be fatal and requires prompt medical attention. This chapter reviews the treatment of acute PE, including a detailed report of the acute- and long-term management of high-risk (“massive”), medium-risk (“submassive”), and low-risk thrombi. It summarizes the reperfusion therapies available in hemodynamically unstable patients with massive PEs such as thrombolysis, embolectomy, and percutaneous catheter-directed treatment. There is further in-depth examination of the various anticoagulants available including parenteral therapies, vitamin K antagonists, and direct oral anticoagulants. Recommendations on the treatment duration are discussed. Other considerations are described, including how management changes in the pregnant patient with acute PE, when venous filters should be considered and whether to initiate treatment before confirming a diagnosis. Overall this chapter serves as an excellent evidenced-based guide to better manage the various presentations of acute PE.   This review contains 3 figures, 5 tables and 47 references Key Words: anticoagulation, embolectomy, PE, pulmonary embolism, reperfusion therapy, thrombolysis, treatment