Pulmonary Embolism Response Team: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Improve Pulmonary Embolism Management

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Multiple therapeutic options are now available for the treatment of acute PE; these include anticoagulation, systemic thrombolysis, catheter-directed thrombolysis or embolectomy, and surgical embolectomy. Risk stratification is crucial in order to target the appropriate treatments for patients at intermediate or high risk of deterioration. Although clinical guidelines are available, the decision as to which therapeutic option to select remains complex, and therefore a multidisciplinary group of specialists is needed to decide on the proper management course. The Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) includes specialists who collaborate on the diagnosis, risk stratification, management, and follow-up of these acutely ill patients.