Recognising it
The symptoms, the presentations that get missed, and the leg signs that point to the source.
Recognising a pulmonary embolism
The presentations that get missed — collapse, breathlessness on its own, a fast pulse and nothing else — the leg signs that point to the source, and when to call 999. 5 min.
In hospital
The tests that should be done, in order and on time, and how treatment is decided.
The hospital checklist: tests that should be done
Wells score, D-dimer with the age adjustment, CTPA against V/Q, the blood panel, ECG, echo and leg ultrasound — and the four-hour rules that decide whether anticoagulation starts before the scan. 5 min.
How it should be treated
Risk tiers in the UK and the new US categories, who goes home the same day, which anticoagulant and why, when clot-busting is used, the 2026 catheter trials, and filters. 8 min.
After hospital
The review, the tests that find a cause, and what changes the risk of another one.
After hospital: making sure it does not happen again
The three-month review, provoked against unprovoked, how long to stay on anticoagulation, what is and is not investigated for cancer, when genetic and antibody tests change anything, and the follow-up that catches chronic lung damage. 7 min.
Every test, and when it is worth doing
The baseline bloods, the three-month cancer assessment, every thrombophilia and genetic test with what it means and the timing rules, the extended tests for unusual clots, and the tests that are sold but not worth doing. Applies to DVT and PE alike. 10 min.
Lifestyle, travel and the next decade
What actually changes recurrence risk, what does not, exercise after a PE, flying, surgery, contraception and HRT, and pregnancy planning. 10 min.
For doctors
The two guidelines on one page.
For doctors: the pathway on one page
NG158 and the 2026 AHA/ACC guideline side by side, doses, contraindications, special populations, PERT triggers and the discharge checklist. 7 min.
Printable
Take it to the ward or the review.
Printable admission and discharge checklist
Two columns to tick through: what should have happened in hospital, and what should happen in the months after. Includes the sPESI and Hestia criteria. 3 min.