Diagnosis and treatment of acute pulmonary embolism

Novelties include the introduction of sPESI, a simplified index of pulmonary embolism severity, and hs-cTnT as a new biomarker, already in use in clinical practice.Another novelty is the term unstable pulmonary embolism characterized by either the presence of cardiogenic shock or the need for ventilatory support.The main new information is the evidence of a large US study of treatment of unstable pulmonary embolism reporting a 67% reduction in overall mortality of unstable patients when treated with thrombolytic treatment when compared with the anticoagulation in the same unstable patients.The reduction was obtained across all age groups as well as in comorbid patients.Results of the above study clearly show that, in the absence of absolute contraindications, all unstable APE patients, including the elderly and comorbid patients, should be treated with thrombolysis.By contrast, the comparison of thrombolytic and anticoagulation therapy in the treatment of submassive pulmonary embolism in the PEITHO trial provided unconvincing results, perhaps because of the low mortality rates of the whole group of 1004 patients.Also reported are data from a US study of embolectomies. Caval filter insertion reduced the mortality rates in all analyzed groups. Based on the facts, it is believed another appropriate indication is that of temporary caval filter insertion in patients with severe massive APE, in whom recurrence of pulmonary embolism from pelvic veins has not been ruled out by CT venography.Hemodynamically stable patients should be treated with LMWH or unfractionated heparins, or rivaroxaban or apixaban.At the end of hospitalization a control echocardiography and calculation of residual pulmonary vascular obstruction on a perfusion scan should be performed.