Optimal Time for Reperfusion in Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third leading cause of cardiovascular mortality worldwide. Current guidelines recommend early reperfusion for high-risk and intermediate-high-risk PE, yet systemic thrombolysis and percutaneous therapies are frequently underutilized, and no specific timing for reperfusion is defined, unlike in acute myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke. As most PE-related in-hospital deaths occur within the first hours and thrombus composition changes over time, defining an optimal reperfusion time window may improve survival and prevent hemodynamic deterioration. We therefore propose a national, multicenter, prospective observational study to evaluate the prognostic impact of reperfusion timing, using systemic thrombolysis or catheter-directed therapies, on in-hospital mortality and haemorrhagic or cardiovascular complications.