Treatment of pulmonary embolism: anticoagulation, thrombolytic therapy, and complications of therapy.

During the last two decades, considerable progress in technology and clinical research methods have led to advances in the approach to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE). Despite this, however, the diagnosis is often delayed and preventive methods are often ignored. Thus, the morbidity and mortality associated with VTE remain high. The therapeutic approach to acute VTE is discussed in this article, with a particular focus on the intensive care unit setting.