PERT Activation with AI Improves Time to Intervention and Survival in High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism

Oct 5, 2026

High-risk pulmonary embolism carries exceedingly high mortality, motivating rapid assessment and triage through Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams (PERT). Following integration of artificial intelligence (AI) for identification and notification of pulmonary embolism in 12/2022, a single-center retrospective review of operative high-risk patients from 2018–2025 evaluated time to intervention and clinical outcomes. Primary results showed significantly shorter time to intervention and lower in-hospital mortality post-AI, while major complications occurred at similar rates across groups.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

PERT Activation with AI Improves Time to Intervention and Survival in High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism Joshua Meredith, MD 1 ; Patrick Muck, MD 1,2; Adam Reichard, MD 1,2 ; Angela N Fellner, PhD CCRP 3 Affiliations: TriHealth, Cincinnati, OH, 1 Department of Vascular Surgery; 3 Hatton Research Institute BACKGROUND • High-risk pulmonary embolism is associated with exceedingly high mortality rates. Pulmonary embolism response teams (PERT) allow rapid evaluation and triage of these patients • With integration of artificial intelligence (AI), PERT activations should improve speed and quality of communication between teams allowing for more rapid treatment and improved survival • We predicted that time to intervention and mortality would improve after integration of AI PERT activation due to improvement in communication and multidisciplinary involvement METHODS • Single center retrospective review of operative high-risk PE patients from 2018 through 2025. Artificial Intelligence providing identification and notification of PE was integrated in 12/2022 with an overhaul of our PERT • Primary outcomes: In-hospital mortality, time to Intervention • Secondary outcomes: Limb Ischemia, major hemorrhage, renal replacement therapy, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) • Continuous variables were analyzed using t-test. Categorical variables reported using percentages; compared using Fishers Exact Test. Preoperative patient factors were evaluated using Spearman’s Rank Correlation 2. Author has a financial relationship with Penumbra Inc. Table 1: Patient Demographics and Outcomes RESULTS • Table 1 and Figure 1 summarize study data and outcomes • 24 patients underwent embolectomy, 8 Pre-AI, 16 Post-AI • VA-ECMO was utilized more frequently Post-AI (OR 6.6, p=0.048) • Thrombolytics was utilized less frequently Post-AI (OR 0.067, p=0.027) • Time to Intervention decreased significantly Post-AI (1.75 days vs. 0.56 days, p=0.018) • Mortality decreased Post-AI (62.5% vs. 0%, p=0.001) • Limb ischemia, major hemorrhage, renal replacement therapy, and CVA occurred at similar rates between the groups • Female sex correlated moderately with mortality (Pearson’s rho=0 .4055, p=0.049) • Preoperative RV dysfunction, RV Strain, and contrast reflux into the IVC did not correlate with mortality CONCLUSIONS • Integration of AI into PERT is associated with improved survival in high-risk PE • Time to intervention also decreased substantially following integration • Despite increasing utilization of VA-ECMO, complication rates have remained low • Improved communication and multidisciplinary involvement stimulated by artificial intelligence PERT activation can have a meaningful impact on patient outcomes

FAQs

What problem does the document address in high-risk pulmonary embolism care?

High-risk pulmonary embolism has exceedingly high mortality rates, so rapid evaluation and triage are critical. The document focuses on improving the speed and quality of communication within PERT activations.

What change was made to the PERT workflow before and after AI integration?

Artificial intelligence for identification and notification of pulmonary embolism was integrated in 12/2022 along with an overhaul of the PERT process. The analysis compares pre-AI and post-AI periods.

Which outcomes improved after AI-enabled PERT activation?

Time to intervention decreased significantly post-AI, and in-hospital mortality decreased substantially. The document also reports similar rates for limb ischemia, major hemorrhage, renal replacement therapy, and cerebrovascular accident.

Oct 5, 2026

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