To address the variability in pulmonary embolism response teams (PERTs) and the critical need for standardized training initiatives to significantly improve patient outcomes.
Approach:
Key Findings:
30-day mortality, procedural complications, and major adverse outcomes were similar between interventional radiology and vascular surgery, indicating a need for standardized practices.
Interventional cardiologists may enhance PERTs due to their training in hemodynamics and acute circulatory management, suggesting a potential model for future PERT structures.
Current PERT training lacks uniformity, with significant variability in catheter-based intervention training, which could adversely affect patient outcomes.
Interpretation:
The study emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary collaboration in PERTs and highlights critical gaps in training and standardization across subspecialties that could impact patient outcomes.
Limitations:
Absence of interventional cardiology comparison in the study, which limits the understanding of their potential contributions.
Geographical variability in training and exposure to PE management, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
Conclusion:
Standardization of training and team structure in PERTs is essential for improving patient care in pulmonary embolism management, underscoring the urgency of addressing identified training gaps.
