Title:Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) - A New Paradigm for the Treatment
of Pulmonary Embolism
Volume: 28
Issue: 7
Author(s): Jonathan Koslowsky, Amit Kakkar, Robert T. Faillace and Seth I. Sokol*
Affiliation:
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology NYC Health + Hospitals, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
Keywords:
Pulmonary circulation, catheter directed thrombolysis, catheter embolectomy, percutaneous, multidisciplinary, risk stratification, advanced treatment.
Abstract: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third leading cause of cardiovascular mortality. Patients with PE
can present with a wide array of symptoms, ranging from mild to life threatening. The mainstay of PE treatment
is anticoagulation; however, many advanced options are available for more severe patients, including catheter-
directed interventions, surgical treatments, and hemodynamic support. Although different risk scores and
clinical guidelines exist, the primary treating teams are frequently left uncertain on the most suitable treatment
for a specific complex patient. Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams (PERT), composed of multidisciplinary
experts, have emerged and been implemented in many centers and are available 24 hours a day to help guide
the primary team. PERTs have changed the way complex PE patients are managed. In centers with a PERT,
teams are called upon very frequently, and there is a significant increase in the use of advanced treatments for
PE, although there are differences between centers based upon the center's specific PERT protocol and available
capabilities. As PE is an evolving area, and more studies are necessary, PERTs around the world can help
advance the field and improve the treatment offered to PE patients.