Episode # 38 • 12 Jun 2026
Interventional Radiology: Advances in PE Treatment Guidelines
Will new PE guidelines redefine risk and therapy in pulmonary embolism (PE) care? In this episode of the BackTable podcast, host Dr. Michael Barraza is joined by interventional cardiologist Dr. Jay Giri and emergency physician Dr. Trevor Cummings to break down the latest changes in PE management. They discuss how multidisciplinary pulmonary embolism response teams (PERT) are implementing these guidelines at their institutions, the introduction of a more nuanced A-E risk stratification system, and the challenges of enrolling experienced centers into clinical trials as device innovation accelerates.
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Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
01:24 - Building a PERT Team
04:59 - Trials Shaping PE Care
10:20 - Why New Guidelines Now
14:06 - New Risk Categories Explained
19:51 - Applying Guidelines Locally
23:34 - What Is C1 Risk
27:52 - New D Category Explained
30:33 - Evidence for Aggressive Therapy
33:31 - How PERT Teams Communicate
38:22 - Upcoming PE Trials Pipeline
43:42 - Program Growth and High Risk Trials
45:46 - Closing Remarks
Resources
- Management of Massive and Submassive Pulmonary Embolism, Iliofemoral Deep Vein Thrombosis, and Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
- Surgical Management and Mechanical Circulatory Support in High-Risk Pulmonary Embolisms: Historical Context, Current Status, and Future Directions: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
- Interventional Therapies for Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Current Status and Principles for the Development of Novel Evidence: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
- Ultrasound-Facilitated, Catheter-Directed Fibrinolysis for Acute Pulmonary Embolism
- PEERLESS II: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Large-Bore Thrombectomy Versus Anticoagulation in Intermediate-Risk Pulmonary Embolism
- Rationale and design of the PE-TRACT trial: A multicenter randomized trial to evaluate catheter-directed therapy for the treatment of intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism
- Reduced-Dose Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Intermediate–High-risk Pulmonary Embolism: Rationale and Design of the Pulmonary Embolism International THrOmbolysis (PEITHO)-3 trial
- Design and rationale of the PERSEVERE study: a randomized controlled trial of large-bore mechanical thrombectomy versus the standard of care for high-risk pulmonary embolism
- Design and rationale of PRAGUE-26: a multicentre, randomised trial of catheter-directed thrombolysis for intermediate-high risk acute pulmonary embolism
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More about this episode
The conversation highlights the growth of catheter-directed lysis and mechanical thrombectomy, the rationale and practical impact of the new Category D for incipient cardiopulmonary failure (including normotensive shock), and the incorporation of PESI, sPESI, and Hestia for risk assessment. Additional topics include decision-making for low-risk patients, lactate and biomarkers for identifying higher-risk cases, communication strategies within PERT teams, AI-enabled risk stratification, and a preview of upcoming trials (PEITHO, PRAGUE-26, PEERLESS-2, PE-TRACT, and PERSEVERE) that are set to further transform PE care.
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