Update on Perioperative Pulmonary Embolism Management: A Decision Support Tool to Aid in Diagnosis and Treatment

Pulmonary embolism (PE) affects up to 1 in every 1000 people per year, one-third of whom do not survive. Moreover, perioperative presentation of PE is 5 times more likely than at other times and poses a unique set of challenges for both diagnosis and treatment. This article discusses several important aspects regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and management of perioperative PE, incorporating information from the most recent practice guidelines, emerging literature on medical therapy, and interventional therapies. It proposes a clinical decision support tool that organizes the salient aspects of perioperative PE management to serve as an aid in practice.