[ESC guidelines 2019 on diagnostics and management of acute pulmonary embolism]

This article on the new European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for diagnostics and management of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) focusses on new or changed recommendations compared to the previous version of the guidelines from 2014. The current risk-adjusted management algorithm for acute PE includes the clinical severity, aggravating comorbid conditions and right ventricular dysfunction. For low-risk patients early discharge and outpatient treatment are possible, whereas for high-risk patients reperfusion treatment and hemodynamic support have to be considered, depending on the hemodynamic situation and contraindications in the individual patient. Effective therapeutic anticoagulation for at least 3 months is recommended for all patients with PE. Potential indicators for extended anticoagulation are given in the guidelines (class I or class IIa recommendations). New oral anticoagulants (NOAC) are the first choice for anticoagulation in preference to vitamin K antagonists (VKA); however, they are not recommended in patients with severe renal dysfunction, during pregnancy or lactation and in patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Furthermore, a new algorithm for the follow-up after acute PE is proposed in the guidelines. In cases of symptomatic persistent pulmonary hypertension (PH) the transfer to a specialized center is recommended.