Outpatient therapy for acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism diagnosed in the emergency department: Time to improve the evidence base

Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a worldwide major public health issue [1 –4]. After myocardial infarction and stroke, PE is the third most common cause of vascular death. In addition, PE is the leading preventable cause of death in hospitalized patients [2]. Treatment of PE costs over 19 billion dollars annually in the USA [3], and more than 50% of that expenditure rel ates to the cost of in-patient care [4]. The initial decision to admit the patient diagnosed with acute symptomatic PE in the emergency department (ED) to the hospital or to treat the patient at home therefore has significant patient care and public health implications.

Source: Thrombosis Research - November 25, 2017 Category: Hematology Authors: David Jim énez, Roger D. Yusen Tags: Editorial Source Type: research