Pulmonary Embolism

A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, most often caused by blood clots that travel from the legs or other parts of the body. This is a medical emergency: without prompt treatment, a PE can cause permanent lung damage, strain the heart, and even lead to death.

More than 900,000 Americans are affected by blood clots each year, and an estimated 60,000–100,000 Americans die of venous thromboembolism (VTE) each year.

At Texas IPS, our Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) is on call 24/7 to rapidly diagnose and manage suspected or confirmed PE cases. We combine advanced imaging, catheter-based therapies, and expert critical care to restore blood flow and protect organ function. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures each patient gets the right treatment, at the right time—whether that’s anticoagulation, minimally invasive clot removal, or surgical intervention.

Early, aggressive treatment can reduce PE-related mortality by up to 50% in high-risk patients.

Our PE services include:

• Rapid imaging and bedside ultrasound
• Immediate anticoagulation management
• Catheter-directed thrombolysis and thrombectomy
• Surgical embolectomy in severe cases
• Critical care monitoring and follow-up management
• Post-PE rehabilitation and risk-reduction planning

We also focus on long-term care, identifying and addressing underlying clotting disorders, and helping patients prevent recurrence through education, medication management, and lifestyle support.

For more information about our comprehensive PE program, visit our Pulmonary Embolism Clinic page.