The diagnosis of suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) is best approached by using an algorithm that includes the estimation of pretest probability, the selective use of D-dimer testing (in patients with low or moderate pretest probability), and the use of appropriate imaging tests (which can include lower-extremity compression ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography, or ventilation–perfusion scanning). The authors provide a diagnostic algorithm incorporating these tests and strategies.

The use of pretest probability tools can help clinicians decide when imaging is necessary, but it can also be helpful in detecting false-positive imaging results. For example, the posttest probability of PE in a patient with low pretest probability and a positive CT pulmonary angiogram is only 30%. Positive scans in these patients should be reviewed with an imaging specialist.

Pretest probability tools have not been well-studied in hospitalized patients, and D-dimer testing is not useful in this population. Therefore, the authors recommend that the evaluation of hospitalized patients with suspected PE forgo the algorithmic approach and move directly to imaging.

Patients undergoing peripheral arterial revascularization have a very high 30-day readmission rate.

Although procedural complications account for the largest segment of these readmissions (28%), sepsis (8.3%), diabetes (7.5%), and congestive heart failure (4.4%) are also important causes of readmission.

Readmitted patients were more likely to have comorbid conditions, such as chronic limb ischemia, obesity, hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes, or renal disease.

诊断可疑肺栓塞（PE）的最佳方法是使用一种算法，包括估计预测概率，选择性使用D-二聚体检测（对于低或中等预检测概率的患者）以及使用适当的影像学检测（这可能包括下肢加压超声检查，计算机断层扫描（CT）肺血管造影或通气-灌注扫描）。作者提供了结合了这些测试和策略的诊断算法。

使用预测概率工具可以帮助临床医生确定何时需要成像，但也有助于检测假阳性成像结果。例如，具有低前测概率和CT肺血管造影阳性的患者的PE的后测概率仅为30％。这些患者的阳性扫描应由影像学专家进行检查。

住院患者对预测概率工具的研究还不够深入，D-二聚体测试在这一人群中没有用。因此，作者建议对住院的可疑PE患者进行评估应放弃算法方法，而应直接进行影像学检查。

进行外周动脉血运重建的患者有很高的30天再入院率。

尽管手术并发症占这些再入院的最大部分（28％），败血症（8.3％），糖尿病（7.5％）和充血性心力衰竭（4.4％）也是再入院的重要原因。

重新入院的患者更有可能患有合并症，例如慢性肢体缺血，肥胖，高血压，充血性心力衰竭，糖尿病或肾病。