Management of Pulmonary Embolism

Management

Try to prevent further thrombosis with compression stockings.
Heparin concurrently with warfarin for 5d, and until INR >2. Then stop.

If obvious remedial cause, 6wks' treatment with warfarin may be sufficient.
Otherwise, continue for at least 3-6 months (long-term if recurrent emboli, or underlying malignancy).

Is there an underlying cause, eg thrombophilic tendency, malignancy (especially prostate, breast, or pelvic cancer), SLE, or polycythaemia?

If good story and signs, make the diagnosis.

Start treatment before definitive investigations: most PE deaths occur within 1h.