The management of pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant cause of hospitalization, morbidity and mortality, frequently requiring critical care services. Critically ill patients are also at increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism and acute PE. Critical care clinicians should be confident in their approach to the patient with suspected and diagnosed PE. Furthermore, the comorbid conditions in this patient group may present additional challenges both in diagnosis (e.g. safe access to radiology) and management (e.g. absolute and relative contraindications to anticoagulation/thrombolysis in critically ill patients). This brief review summarizes the contemporary evidence base regarding both diagnosis and treatment strategies and draws upon this to suggest a simple algorithm for investigation, risk stratification and management, particularly tailored to patients within a critical care setting.