Post-Pulmonary Embolism Syndrome: New Phenotypes Come into Focus

The acute phase of pulmonary embolism (PE) may be a severe and potentially life-threatening condition. Moreover, long-term consequences following the acute phase can significantly impact a patient's daily life. A systematic approach to PE follow-up can identify potential complications following acute PE. Post-PE syndrome (PPES) is a common occurrence among survivors experiencing persistent dyspnea and impaired functional status. While the exact definition is evolving, it encompasses a spectrum of disease phenotypes that may occur following an acute PE, which ranges from dyspnea, functional limitation, or cardiac impairment to chronic thromboembolic disease and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. This review will describe the different PPES phenotypes, including their physiological basis, diagnosis and workup, and management following acute PE.