Factors associated with clinical deterioration shortly after PE

In an effort to identify clinical findings associated with deterioration and mortality after PE, the authors prospectively monitored 298 pts admitted through the ED with documented PE.  34% of pts experienced clinical deterioration, which was associated with hypotension, hypoxia, residual DVT, CAD, and right heart strain on echocardiogram.  In contrast, 30-day mortality was associated with malignancy and CHF.