Ruling out pulmonary embolism across different healthcare settings: A systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The challenging clinical dilemma of detecting pulmonary embolism (PE) in suspected patients is encountered in a variety of healthcare settings. We hypothesized that the optimal diagnostic approach to detect these patients in terms of safety and efficiency depends on underlying PE prevalence, case mix, and physician experience, overall reflected by the type of setting where patients are initially assessed. The objective of this study was to assess the capability of ruling out PE by available diagnostic strategies across all possible settings.

Methods and findings

We performed a literature search (MEDLINE) followed by an individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis (MA; 23 studies), including patients from self-referral emergency care (n = 12,612), primary healthcare

SUBMITTER: Geersing GJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8824365 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature