Post-Pulmonary Embolism Impairment Frequent, Follow-Up Urged After Acute PE

Post-Pulmonary Embolism Impairment Frequent, Follow-Up Urged After Acute PE

By Marilynn Larkin

May 19, 2022

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In a large study of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) was rare, but post-pulmonary embolism impairment (PPEI) was not.

Researchers suggest systematic follow-up after acute PE to reduce PPEI risk and optimize outcomes.

"Since PE is a frequent disease and CTEPH is rare, it is neither feasible nor reasonable to perform a large number of time-consuming and expensive tests in every patient after the acute disease," Dr. Stavros Konstantinides of the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, told Reuters Health by email.

"The FOCUS (FOllow-up after aCUte pulmonary emboliSm) study identified some clinical, ultrasound and laboratory findings, which can easily be obtained three months after acute PE - an early check-up visit already recommended by guidelines - and can then direct the physician to more comprehensive testing only if (the results) are abnormal," he said.

"Even if there are only a few patients are diagnosed with CTEPH after PE, the FOCUS study could identify many others who continue to complain of shortness of breath or exhaustion, and generally a poor quality of life," he added. "These are the patients to whom appropriate care - such as exercise rehabilitation, behavioral education, and lifestyle modification in general - should be provided to restore their health and well-being."

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