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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2017; 38(01): 003-010
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1597555
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Approach to Suspected Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Should We Use Scoring Systems?

Marc Righini
1   Division of Angiology and Hemostasis, Department of Medical Specialties, Geneva University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
,
Grégoire Le Gal
2   Thrombosis Program, Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
,
Henri Bounameaux
1   Division of Angiology and Hemostasis, Department of Medical Specialties, Geneva University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
16 February 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Modern diagnostic strategies for pulmonary embolism diagnosis almost all rely on an initial assessment of the pretest probability. Clinical prediction rules are decision-making tools using combinations of easily available clinical predictors to define the probability of a disease. The assessment of the clinical probability of pulmonary embolism has an important impact on the diagnostic strategy and on therapeutic management. Clinical prediction rules provide accurate and reproducible estimates of clinical probability. They should be derived and validated following strict methodological standards. The use of clinical prediction rules should be encouraged, since their implementation in local guidelines for pulmonary embolism diagnosis has been shown to improve patients' outcomes.

Keywords

clinical probability - clinical prediction rules - pulmonary embolism - diagnostic tests

Note

This manuscript represents original work, and it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. It has never been neither submitted nor published in another scientific journal. All authors meet criteria for authorship and none of the authors have any conflict of interest. All had access to all data in the study, read, approved the final manuscript, and held responsibility for the decision to submit it for publication.


 

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