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1. Diagnosis
Step 1: Pretest probability. Use the Wells score, the revised Geneva score or clinical gestalt. Per ASH, for patients at low (unlikely) VTE risk, using D-dimer as the initial test reduces the need for diagnostic imaging. For patients at high (likely) VTE risk, imaging is warranted.Ashpublicationsashpublications.orgAmerican Society of Hematology 2018 guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism: diagnosis of venous thromboembolismFor patients with a low pretest probability of PE, the ASH guideline panel recommends D-dimer as the initial test, which reduces the need for diagnostic imaging. If probability is high, skip the D-dimer and go straight to imaging.
Step 2: PERC, for low gestalt probability only. If all 8 PERC criteria are negative, you can stop testing. This only holds in low-prevalence settings. One external validation found PERC-negative, low-probability patients still had 6.4% (95% CI: 3.7-10.8%)Sciencedirectsciencedirect.comAmong PERC-negative patients with a low clinical probability, the prevalence of pulmonary embolism was 6.4% (95% CI 3.7-10.8%). PE prevalence, so apply it only where gestalt probability is genuinely low.
Step 3: D-dimer. In patients with low or intermediate probability, a negative D-dimer excludes PE. Above age 50, an age-adjusted cut-off (age × 10 µg/L) keeps sensitivity while sparing many patients imaging.
Step 4: Imaging. CT pulmonary angiography is the test of choice. Use V/Q scanning when contrast or radiation is a concern, such as in pregnancy or renal impairment.
How do I diagnose and manage suspected pulmonary embolism?





























