Pulmonary vascular disease & thromboembolism
Key elements of follow-up care after acute pulmonary embolism focusing on long-term sequelae: a Delphi study among European experts
Authors' conclusion
This Delphi study among a panel of VTE experts across Europe describes a consensus-based framework for structured follow-up care for PE-survivors, emphasizing the need for a standardized, multidisciplinary approach to detecting long-term sequelae of PE.
Study context
- Population
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE) experts from across Europe, on follow-up care of pulmonary embolism (PE) survivors39 completed both rounds
- Participants
- 45 experts
- Outcome
- Expert consensus on PE follow-up care
Methodological details2 survey rounds, multidisciplinary European expert panel
- 2 survey rounds
- Multidisciplinary European expert panel
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Follow-up should address the entire spectrum of post-PE sequelae (chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease, all other presentations of post-PE syndrome)
- Routine assessment at 3 months should involve patient-reported outcome measures, incl. quality of life
- A single, uniform protocol preferred over locally adapted approaches
- Earlier follow-up (before 3 months) not considered necessary for most patient subgroups
- Right heart catheterization to confirm CTEPH reserved for specialized pulmonary hypertension centres; CT, V/Q scan, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and transthoracic echocardiography can be performed in non-referral centres
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Key elements of follow-up care after acute pulmonary embolism focusing on long-term sequelae: a Delphi study among European experts. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. Published 1 July 2025. doi:10.
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