The diagnosis and treatment of acute pulmonary thromboembolism

Acute pulmonary embolism is a common major medical condition and is frequently poorly managed. There has been wide variation within and between countries, and even within hospitals, on how to diagnose and treat this frequently encountered medical emergency. This review examines the current status and advances now available in most acute centres, and reveals how the new European Society of Cardiology guidelines simplify this complex and poorly understood condition.