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Semin intervent Radiol 2017; 34(01): 11-15
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1597759
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Pulmonary Embolism: The Astute Interventional Radiology Clinician

Akhilesh K. Sista
1   Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, New York University Langone School of Medicine, New York, New York
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Publication Date:
02 March 2017 (online)

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Abstract

There has been a resurgence of interest in defining the optimal treatment for severe pulmonary embolism (PE), fueled by pivotal and provocative trials, new catheter-based medical devices, and growing evidence of deleterious short- and long-term outcomes. In this environment, and especially given the multidisciplinary nature of PE care, the interventional radiologist (IR) needs to become an astute, disease-specific expert. This review article describes the following “steps” an IR can take to reach this level: (1) understand PE stratification and epidemiology; (2) recognize the treatment goals for massive PE; (3) recognize the wide range of attitudes toward therapeutic escalation for submassive PE; (4) recognize what we do not know about the treatment of submassive PE and the limitations of current studies; (5) know the literature surrounding inferior vena cava filter insertion for severe PE; (6) integrate into the longitudinal care of the patient; and (7) be at the leading edge of new trials and technologies.

Keywords

submassive pulmonary embolism - catheter-directed thrombolysis - massive pulmonary embolism - inferior vena cava filters
 

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