Pulmonary Embolism

First Things First (assess & treat for the following)

• Consider immediate anticoagulation while working up for possible venous thromboembolism (VTE) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
  • Assess for contraindications to anticoagulation first!
    • Active bleeding, very recent hemorrhagic stroke, etc.
  • Delays in achieving effective anticoagulation are associated with increased mortality.
• Assess clinical probability of PE having occurred.
• Get imaging study.