Normalization of Vital Signs Does Not Reduce Risk for Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Up to one third of patients whose abnormal triage vital signs reverted to normal values had PE.

In a prospective single-center study, researchers evaluated whether normalization of vital signs in patients who present with symptoms of pulmonary embolism (PE) reduces the probability of the disease. Patients at an urban academic emergency department (ED) in North Carolina were enrolled if they were older than 17 years and had at least one predefined sign or symptom and one risk factor for PE.

Of 192 patients, 35 (18%) were diagnosed with PE by computed tomography in the ED. In patients whose abnormal triage vital signs normalized at any time during their ED visit, incidence of PE was not lower than for patients whose vital signs did not normalize. The incidence of PE for patients with abnormal pulse rate, respiratory rate, shock index, or…

Reviewing Author

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)