Outcome definitions
| Any patient who | Definition |
|---|---|
| Primary outcome | |
| Received advanced cardiac life support | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation or treatment with bolus doses of epinephrine, atropine or vasopressin |
| Developed a new cardiac dysrhythmia | Atrial fibrillation or flutter, ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation not present on the patient's emergency department electrocardiogram |
| Developed hypoxaemia (SaO2 < 90%) or required respiratory support (>2 L by nasal cannula) | Hypoxaemia is defined as an oxygen saturation <90% measured by pulse oximetry regardless of the use of supplemental oxygen Respiratory support is defined as treatment with >2 L/min of oxygen by nasal cannula, non-rebreather mask or any positive pressure ventilation including endotracheal intubation |
| Developed hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg) | Systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg on two consecutive measurements >15 min apart |
| Was treated with vasopressors | Any continuous infusion of dopamine, norepinephrine or epinephrine |
| Underwent thrombolysis or thrombectomy | Thrombolysis or thrombectomy includes any treatment with tPA (activase), catheter or surgical thrombectomy |
| Developed recurrent PE | A new filling defect on repeat radiological examination |
| Died | Death from any cause |
| Severe outcome | |
| Received advanced cardiac life support | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation or treatment with bolus doses of epinephrine, atropine or vasopressin |
| Developed ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation | Ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation not present on the patient's emergency department electrocardiogram |
| Required positive pressure ventilation or endotracheal intubation | Respiratory support using positive pressure ventilation, such as CPAP, biphasic positive airway pressure (BiPAP) or endotracheal intubation |
| Was treated with vasopressors | Any continuous infusion of dopamine, norepinephrine or epinephrine |
| Underwent thrombolysis or thrombectomy | Thrombolysis or thrombectomy includes any treatment with tPA (activase), catheter or surgical thrombectomy |
| Died | Death from any cause |
SaO2, blood oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry.