PULMONARY EMBOLISM-FOLLOW UP
SUMMARY
PROGNOSIS
1. Mortality low overall (0.2%)
2. Mortality for Massive PE or Submassive PE was 5-6%, for Massive PE with shock was 32%[1]
INVESTIGATIONS
3. Massive PE: repeat imaging and echocardiogram to rule out CTEPH
4. Still symptomatic after 6 months: repeat imaging and echocardiogram to rule out CTEPH
PREVENTION
5. Long term anticoagulation
6. Aspirin
7. Anticoagulation cover for long haul flights and operations
8. Plan pregnancies
9. Screen for thrombophilia: indicated in young patients (< 50 years)
Reference(s)
- ↑ Alpert JS, Smith R, Carlson CJ, Ockene IS, Dexter L, Dalen JE . Mortality in Patients Treated for Pulmonary Embolism. JAMA. 1976;236(13):1477-1480.
Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].
