Outpatient Management of Pulmonary Embolism: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives

Pulmonary embolism(PE), a life-threatening manifestation of venous thromboembolism, is usually given meticulous care in hospitals. However, nowadays, due to the evolution of medicine, it has shifted to so-called outpatient management of this condition. To put this into practice in in-depth knowledge of the factors that support or hinder such management of patients is necessary. Global incidence of PE is rising as exposure to risk factors increases. It has become the 3rd cause of cardiovascular morbidity in Western countries. The review explores the advances in diagnostic tools like D-dimer testing and other tools, and risk stratification to identify low-risk PE patients needed for outpatient management. It also addresses different types of criteria that have to be met, and the anticoagulation regimens required to discharge patients. The review discusses future directions which is focused on telemedicine-guided anticoagulation services, technology-driven care models, all of which focus on improved patient care.