Pulmonary embolism treatment. Detection of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. / Tratamiento de la embolia de pulmón. Detección de la hipertensión pulmonar tromboembólica crónica.

The correct stratification of pulmonary embolism risk (PE) is essential for decision-making, regarding treatment and defining the patient's place of admission. In high-risk PE, urgent re-establishment of pulmonary circulation and admission to a critical unit is required. The reperfusion treatment of choice is systemic thrombolysis, although in certain situations, especially when there is a contraindication for it, we will evaluate a surgical embolectomy or one of the catheter-guided therapies. In the rest of PE, the treatment of choice will be anticoagulation. Currently, direct oral anticoagulants have become the treatment of choice for the treatment of PE, due to their better safety profile. However, low molecular weight heparins and subsequently antivitamins K, remain the most used treatment, because they are funded by the public system. In cases of PE with cardiorespiratory arrest and / or cardiogenic shock, whenever available at our center, we must consider the indication of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The recent creation of PE response teams (PERT team), have meant an improvement in the care of patients with intermediate-high and high risk PE. During the follow-up of patients with PE, it is essential to perform a correct screening of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, in order to perform a correct diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Management of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer.

Current guidelines for anticoagulant therapy do not so far suggest any form of differentiated approach to cancer patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). This review article provides an overview of the published literature in cancer patients with VTE, mostly using data from the RIETE registry. Our findings provide some insights into what factors may be used to guide physicians in adapting recommended anticoagulant regimens to the individual patient, as oncologists are increasingly doing with cancer treatments. For instance, patients presenting with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) alone might benefit from curtailing treatment intensity as anticoagulant therapy progresses. The site of cancer also needs to be considered. In patients with incidental PE or splanchnic vein thrombosis, we should be more cautious before prescribing anticoagulant therapy. The optimal duration of anticoagulant therapy is unknown.