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Table 1 Pulmonary embolism severity index

From: Cardiothoracic CT: one-stop-shop procedure? Impact on the management of acute pulmonary embolism

Predictors

Score

Age

Age, in years

Male sex

10

Cancer

30

Heart failure

10

Chronic lung disease

10

Pulse ≥110/min

20

Systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg

30

Respiratory rate ≥30/min

20

Temperature <36°

20

Altered mental status*

60

Arterial oxygen saturation <90%**

20

  1. The pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI) consists of 11 indepent predictors of short-term mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism [14]. By adding the patient’s age in years and the applicable predictor, a total score is obtained. Based on this total score patients are classified into one of the five risk classes: ≤ 65 class I, 66–85 class II, 86–105 class III, 106–125 class IV, >125 class V. Classes I an II are defined as low risk; classes III–V are defined as higher risk
  2. *Defined as disorientation, lethargy, stupor or coma
  3. **With and without the administration of supplemental oxygen