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Patients with a pulmonary embolism may be treated and cared for by multiple health care professionals. It’s important to understand each person’s role in your care and how they can help you.

A pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) is a health care team that works together to treat patients with a pulmonary embolism (PE). A PERT may be used for patients who have moderate- to high-risk risk PE because it can help:

• Start treatment faster
• Decide if more advanced treatments are needed
• Support coordinated, high-quality care while the patient is in the hospital

PERTs work in a way that’s similar to teams used for stroke or heart attack care. When activated, they:

• Respond quickly to the emergency
• Review test results and the person’s overall condition 
• Work together to choose the best treatment plan
• May help reduce the amount of time a patient stays in the hospital

Here is a list of some of the health care professionals you may see:

• Vascular medicine specialists help patients with problems in their blood vessels, which include arteries and veins.
• Pulmonary critical care specialists help patients with serious lung conditions who may need in-hospital care, including in the ICU.
• Cardiac surgeons operate on the heart or blood vessels near the heart to help with serious health conditions, such as removing a blood clot.
• Non-interventional cardiologists treat heart disease without doing open-heart surgery or procedures.
• Interventional radiologists use medical imaging to guide treatment in the body during minimally invasive procedures. This is done to treat health conditions without major surgery.
• Radiologists use medical images, such as X-rays, MRI, CT, ultrasounds or other types of scans, to help diagnose and guide care for various health conditions.
• Vascular surgeons treat conditions related to the blood vessels in the lower parts of the body, except for the heart and brain. They perform procedures or surgeries to treat conditions such as blood clots.
• Interventional cardiologists use thin tubes called catheters to treat heart conditions through minimally invasive procedures instead of open-heart surgery.
• Emergency medicine specialists evaluate, resuscitate, stabilize and begin initial treatment for patients with sudden illness or injury in the emergency department.
• Hematologists/oncologists treat patients with blood diseases, clotting disorders and cancers that affect blood cells, bone marrow and the lymphatic system – the tissues and organs that help the body fight off infection and disease.
• Nurses provide patient care and assist with medical tests, medications, procedures, surgeries, treatment and recovery.
• Pharmacists make sure patients get the right medications to treat their PE. They provide information about the medications, including interactions with foods or other drugs. They also help you understand medication instructions and when and how to take them.
• Obstetricians/gynecologists provide care for the female reproductive system, including birth control options that are safe for those with a history of blood clots. They also manage pregnancy and childbirth while coordinating care to protect both mother and baby when conditions such as PE complicate pregnancy.

You’re an important member of the health care team

You and your caregivers are also important members of the health care team. Talking openly with your health care team helps you get the most from your visits. Knowing what to ask and understanding their advice can help you feel more confident about your care.

Here are some questions you could ask to find out how treatments might affect you.

• Will this treatment affect my other health conditions?
• Will this treatment affect:
  • How I travel
  • The physical activities I enjoy
  • Foods I like to eat
• Will this treatment affect pregnancy or breastfeeding?
• Will this treatment lead to changes in my period, such as heavier bleeding?
• Will this treatment affect my birth control options, such as oral contraceptives like the pill?
• Is my history of having a PE important health information for my siblings or children to know?

You and your health care team should discuss your questions, goals and best treatment options for you.

View fact sheet: What Is a Pulmonary Embolism? (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)