Abstract
Pulmonary embolism is a disease commonly encountered in the clinical practice. It is typically taken into consideration in patients who present with a classic triad - dyspnoea, chest pain, and haemoptysis - but also in those with atypical manifestations, including pleural syndrome, back pain, or, in the elderly, confusion.
D-dimer testing and an angio-CT scan of the lungs are essential in the diagnostic process. Examination is aimed at elucidating the aetiology of pulmonary embolism.
Anticoagulant therapy is initiated once this diagnosis has been suspected. At present, thrombolytic therapy is reserved for those in shock; the other patients receive anticoagulation.
Current guidelines prefer NOAC treatment to standard warfarinization.