Publication at Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové |
2008
Abstract
Anticoagulant therapy is the cornerstone of treatment of pulmonary embolism. Such treatment is divided into two stages.
Rapid initial anticoagulation is given to minimize the risk of thrombus extension and fatal pulmonary embolism, wheras extended anticoagulation is aimed at preventing recurrent pulmonary embolism. Thrombolytic treatment is recommended for unstable patients with pulmonary embolism, although these patients represent less than 5% of all patients hospitalized for pulmonary embolism.
The use of thrombolytic treatment in patients with sub-massive pulmonary embolism remains controversial.