Postpulmonary Embolism Follow-Up and Epidemiology of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Abstract

The follow-up of patients with acute pulmonary embolism is an essential component of their comprehensive care. This manuscript will discuss the critical components involved in the outpatient follow-up of pulmonary embolism, including the development of post hospitalization follow-up clinics, assessment of functional capacity and residual right ventricular function, anticoagulation, recurrence risk of venous thromboembolism, and retrieval of inferior vena cava filters. In addition to these listed topics, the epidemiology of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension will be discussed, including the spectrum of postpulmonary embolism syndrome (PPES), risk factors for the development of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and the incidence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after acute pulmonary embolism.