Table of Contents

Pulmonary Embolism

Clinical

Investigations

Management

Streptokinase Urokinase Alteplase Reteplase Tenecteplase
activate systemic plasminogen, which is not part of the clot matrix
hydrolyses fibrin of thromboemboli, causing clot lysis
preferentially activate plasminogen on clot surface.
Classified as fibrin specific
Generation 1st 1st 2nd 3rd 3rd
Clot-specific? No No Yes Yes Yes
Half-life (mins) 12 7–20 4–10 11–19 15–24

Risk factors investigation

if no obvious cause of embolic disease is found, hypercoagulation investigation should follow:

Wells criteria

Wells criteria for PE
clinical signs and symptoms of DVT 3
alternative diagnosis is less likely than PE 3
HR >100 1.5
immobilisation ≥3 consecutive days or surgery in the previous 4/52 1.5
previous objectively diagnosed PE or DVT 1.5
haemoptysis 1
malignancy (on Rx, or in last 6/12 or palliative) 1
0-1: low risk
2-6: moderate risk
>6: high risk

PESI (Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index)score

Age Age in years
Male sex 10
Cancer 30
Heart Failure 10
Chronic lung disease 10
Pulse ≥ 110/min 20
sBP < 100 mm Hg 30
RR ≥ 30/min 20
Temperature < 36°C 20
Altered mental status 60
PaO2 sat < 90% (+/-O2 Rx) 20

score
≤ 65 Class I, Very Low Risk discharge on oral anti-coag
66-85 Class II, Low Risk discharge on oral anti-coag
86-105 Class III, Intermediate Risk potential for decompensation
probable admission for Ix and monitoring
106-125 Class IV, High Risk admission
> 125 Class V, Very High Risk admission

Resolution and monitoring

Rate of resolution of thrombus in PE measured by CTPA
resolution of PE thrombus

References include:

NICE PE 2020
https://litfl.com/pulmonary-embolism/
PE Thrombolysis review 2016
Procalcitonin in PE and pneumonia 2010
2014 ESC guidelines Dx and Mx of PE
2016 CHEST antithrombotic Rx for VTE
Initial OP Mx of PE - BritThorSoc 2018