Key result
Unrecognized post-PE PTSD triggers recurrent emergency department visits for cardiopulmonary symptoms.
Why the study?
Thromboneurosis—chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, and fear of recurrence following venous thromboembolism—is an under-recognized complication of PE. Because no VTE-specific psychological screening instrument, standardized diagnostic pathway, or guideline-endorsed management strategy currently exists, cases often go undiagnosed until quality of life significantly declines.
Case Report (n=1)
Delayed recognition of post-pulmonary embolism psychological distress (thromboneurosis/PTSD) can lead to recurrent, unnecessary emergency department visits, highlighting the need for routine structured psychological screening in post-PE follow-up.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May improve post-PE care if thromboneurosis is recognized; leaves open validated screening tools and guidelines.
BACKGROUND: Thromboneurosis, though not a formally recognized diagnostic entity, describes the chronic anxiety, hypervigilance, and fear of recurrence that can follow venous thromboembolism, an under-recognized and underdiagnosed complication of pulmonary embolism (PE). Despite growing literature on its prevalence, no comprehensive, venous thromboembolism-specific psychological screening instrument, standardized diagnostic pathway, or guideline-endorsed management strategy currently exists. Consequently, cases often remain undiagnosed until significant quality-of-life decline occurs. CASE SUMMARY: We report a 43-year-old man who, after appropriate treatment for intermediate-risk (Category C2) PE, presented to the emergency department 5 separate times with recurrent chest pain, dyspnea, and palpitations. He was subsequently diagnosed with thromboneurosis/post-PE post-traumatic stress disorder. DISCUSSION: This case highlights the substantial clinical and health care burden associated with delayed recognition of the psychological effects of post-PE and supports routine integration of structured psychological screening into multidisciplinary post-PE follow-up pathways. TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: Structured psychological screening should be integrated into multidisciplinary post-PE follow-up to reduce diagnostic delay and unnecessary acute care utilization.
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Abuhalimeh et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Thromboneurosis / post-pulmonary embolism post-traumatic stress disorder (n=1). Intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism was evaluated on Emergency department presentations and subsequent diagnosis of thromboneurosis/post-PE post-traumatic stress disorder. Unrecognized post-PE post-traumatic stress disorder (thromboneurosis) in a 43-year-old man led to 5 recurrent emergency department visits for chest pain, dyspnea, and palpitations.
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