A Pulmonary Embolism Response Team: initial experiences and future directions.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.
• Risk stratification categorizes PE into high-risk (massive), intermediate-risk (submassive), and low-risk.
• Optimal treatment selection for PE lacks extensive prospective, randomized trials, necessitating expert multidisciplinary input.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) model.
• To highlight the MGH PERT's experience and the PERT Consortium's growth.
• To discuss the PERT model's potential as a new standard of care for acute PE.

Main Methods:

• The MGH PERT was established as a multidisciplinary, rapid response team for acute PE.
• The PERT Consortium was founded to create a collaborative international network of PERT programs.
• The MGH PERT has treated over 700 patients, primarily with massive or submassive PE.

Main Results:

• The PERT model has seen significant international expansion since its inception.
• Over 80 institutions joined the PERT Consortium within its first year.
• The MGH PERT has extensive experience managing complex PE cases.

Conclusions:

• The PERT model provides a structured, multidisciplinary approach to acute PE management.
• The collaborative nature of the PERT Consortium facilitates knowledge sharing and best practice development.
• The PERT model shows promise as a new standard of care for patients with acute pulmonary embolism.