Long-Term Outcomes Associated with a Pulmonary Embolism Response Team, a Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

In this retrospective cohort study, we investigated the impact of Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) consultation on long-term outcomes for patients with intermediate or high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE). The study spanned from April 1, 2019, to April 1, 2021, assessing the association between PERT consultation and various clinical outcomes in the 1–5 years following discharge. Propensity-matched analyses revealed that patients receiving PERT consultation (PCs) had significantly higher odds of PE clinic referral (OR 11.8, 95% CI 6.6–21.2, P < 0.001), follow-up visit attendance (OR 5.14, 95% CI 2.51–10.5, P < 0.001), and discussion of anticoagulation (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.5–4.6, P < 0.001) compared to non-recipients (NPCs). There was no significant association between PERT consultation and bleeding complications or hospital readmission. However, a borderline-significant trend toward increased likelihood of venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence among PCs was noted (OR 3.8, 95% CI 0.99–14.8, P = 0.05). We observed a reduction in 1-year mortality among PCs (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.12–0.59, P = 0.001), as well as over the entire follow-up period (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.39–0.99, P = 0.47). Kaplan-Meier analysis further supported a significant difference in mortality (P = 0.001), with a hazard ratio of 0.44 (95% CI 0.28–0.73, P = 0.001) based on a Cox proportional-hazards model. This study suggests that PERT consultation may improve follow-up care and long-term outcomes for patients with intermediate or high-risk PE. However, additional research is needed to determine the optimal role of PERTs in PE management.