Pulmonary Embolism in Children

Pediatric pulmonary embolism (PE) has become increasingly more common. It occurs most frequently in adolescent girls because of the effect of estrogen on blood coagulation. Prompt diagnosis is essential for lowering long-term complications and the mortality risk. However, this is challenging due to the varied and often asymptomatic clinical presentation of PE in children. On imaging, a filling defect within a pulmonary artery is the diagnostic finding. Imaging may also show signs of right ventricular strain, which helps inform treatment options. PE is treated based on risk and burden of disease. Potential treatments include anticoagulation, low-dose systemic thrombolysis, surgical embolectomy, or catheter-directed embolectomy.