Via practica 2/2015

Pulmonary embolism – still underestimated diagnosis in outpatient practice

Pulmonary embolism is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases. Although this disease is well known even among general public, diagnosis can be really difficult for its nonspecific and heterogeneous symptoms. Acute pulmonary embolism is characterized by high mortality especially in untreated patients. This article focuses on diagnosis possibilities in stable patients with suspected pulmonary embolism in outpatient practice and on treatment and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism according to contemporary guidelines. New possibilities of treatment using new oral anticoagulants are mentioned as well.

Keywords: pulmonary embolism, diagnosis, treatment, new anticoagulants.