Immediate Impact Without the Need for Thrombolytics in the Treatment of Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary Embolism is a common disease with a challenging diagnosis. It is the third leading cause of cardiovascular mortality after heart attack and stroke. Despite high mortality rates, anticoagulation alone remains the mainstay treatment for nearly half of the patients diagnosed with PE. 20-50% of them have residual thrombus after receiving conservative treatment, developing life limiting complications after PE and increasing risk of adverse events, including recurrent VTE, heart failure, CTEPH development and death. Furthermore, today’s risk stratification does not include all proven predictors for mortality such as large and/or central clot burden, cardiogenic shock and concomitant DVT.

Why has the status quo in the treatment of acute PE not been challenged so far? How to advance the treatment and care PE patients? Watch the discussion between Professor Felix Mahfoud and Professor Nils Kucher on the current challenges and treatment options for Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

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