All patients in the PE likely subgroup and those in the PE unlikely subgroup who have a positive D-dimer need to receive anticoagulation (usually with low molecular weight heparin) whilst awaiting further investigation (e.g. via CTPA). Only if CTPA is immediately available can such anticoagulation be deferred until results are available..
Learning Bite
All PE likely patients and those in the PE unlikely subgroup who have a positive D-dimer, awaiting investigation need to receive anticoagulation