Pulmonary Embolism Response Team

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that travels to the pulmonary arteries, the blood vessels that supply blood to the lungs. PE is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Without timely intervention, a PE can lead to high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) which eventually weakens the heart and can be life-threatening.

The Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) provides collaborative, advanced treatment for patients with both sudden (acute) pulmonary embolism and long-lasting (chronic) pulmonary embolism.

The specialists in the PERT provide rapid care for emergency PE cases and long-term follow-up after PE patients are discharged. We meet regularly to plan care for our patients with severe PE, formulating personalized, effective treatment plans.

Multiple specialists work together quickly to find the right treatment plan for you. Acute PE assessment involves an interventional cardiologist, pulmonary physician, vascular surgeon and anesthesia critical care specialist. Chronic PE care involves the expertise of a pulmonologist, interventional cardiologist, surgeon and radiologist.

Pulmonary Embolism Treatments We Offer

Medications: Drugs to thin blood (anticoagulants) or break up clots (thrombolytics) are often the first line of treatment if we suspect a pulmonary embolism.

Clot removal: Vascular surgeons specializing in peripheral interventions perform catheter-based procedures to break up or pull out a clot. We use every approved clot removal device.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement: An IVC filter may catch and interrupt a blood clot from traveling to the heart or lungs. The filter is placed in the inferior vena cava, the primary vein that takes blood to the heart from the legs.

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty: This catheter-based treatment is often used for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), a condition that causes many small pulmonary emboli. An interventional cardiologist threads small balloons through a blood vessel in the groin and into pulmonary arteries. Once in place, the balloons are inflated to displace clots and restore blood flow.