Risk in acute pulmonary embolism is not fixed at the moment of diagnosis. A normotensive patient with right ventricular strain and raised troponin can deteriorate over the first 24 to 72 hours.
Reassess heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen requirement, lactate and urine output regularly in intermediate-risk patients, and agree in advance what change triggers escalation — reperfusion discussion, ICU review or a PE response team call.
Document the trigger in the notes so the night team acts on it.
- Reassess intermediate-risk PE regularly in the first 72 hours
- Track heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen need, lactate and urine output
- Agree and document escalation triggers in advance
- Involve a PE response team or ICU early if trends worsen
Why it matters
Deterioration in intermediate-risk PE is often visible in trends before blood pressure falls.
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