[Therapeutic vignette : treatment of pulmonary embolism]

Pulmonary embolism is a manifestation of venous thromboembolic disease, characterized by thrombus formation within the pulmonary arteries. Symptoms and clinical signs are numerous and nonspecific. Diagnosis relies on medical imaging (thoracic CT angiography or ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy). This disease requires prompt management to reduce morbidity and mortality. Treatment strategies include anticoagulation, systemic or catheter-guided thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy or surgery. In our institution, we have a multidisciplinary team, called PERT (Pulmonary Embolism Response Team), responsible for guiding the management of pulmonary embolism and for facilitating the access to those emerging endovascular techniques.