[Intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism: identification and treatment]

Abstract

Patients with intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism have a different mix of clinical symptoms. Optimal treatment of patients with intermediate high-risk pulmonary embolism is necessary to prevent short-term mortality. According to the current guidelines, the use of standard coagulation is the treatment of choice in hemodynamic stable patients with intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism. Systemic thrombolytic therapy is recommended in patients with intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism who circulatory deteriorate or who did not respond appropriately to standard anticoagulation. Catheter-guided thrombolysis is reserved for patients with intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism who have a contraindication for systemic thrombolysis or did not respond to systemic thrombolysis. The timing and choice for the right treatment are significant treatment dilemmas. The development of pulmonary embolism response teams helps in the decision-making in patients with intermediate high-risk pulmonary embolism.