Managing pulmonary embolism: from the acute episode to chronic complications

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism (PE) can range from a life-threatening emergency to an incidental finding. Although anticoagulation remains the main treatment, other factors are important both during the acute phase and in long-term follow-up. This thesis aimed to optimize the management of PE by exploring the possibility of home treatment during the acute episode. Furthermore, it focused on chronic complications, as up to 50% of patients experience persistent symptoms and problems, often referred to as post-PE syndrome. Special attention was given to understanding and improving early detection of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), a serious long-term complication of PE.