RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Investigating and managing suspected pulmonary embolism in an outpatient setting: the Leicester experience
JF Thorax
JO Thorax
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
SP 291
OP 293
DO 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2014-205513
VO 70
IS 3
A1 Vali, Yusuf
A1 Ladwa, Rahul
A1 Bailie, Elaine
A1 Bennett, Jonathan
A1 Free, Catherine
YR 2015
UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/70/3/291.abstract
AB Having established an ambulatory service for patients with suspected and proven PE, we reviewed our outcomes. All patients referred from June 2010 to May 2012 were analysed. Of 971 patients referred, 905 underwent complete assessment (66 admitted as ineligible). 754 (77.7%) patients were discharged and required no follow-up. 96 (10.6%) patients had PE confirmed of whom 70 (72.9%) were managed as outpatients. 14 (1.6%) patients have died since attending the clinic; no death was related to PE. This audit shows that ambulatory investigation and management of selected low risk patients with suspected PE is safe and reduces hospital admissions.