Advancements in Pulmonary Embolism Treatment

This online course provides an evidence-based, clinically focused update on the management of acute pulmonary embolism (PE), led by Dr. Pouya Aghajafari. The program reviews foundational anticoagulation therapy and progresses to advanced interventional options, including catheter-directed approaches, ultrasound-facilitated thrombolysis (EKOS), mechanical thrombectomy, and catheter-assisted venous therapy (CAVT). Learners will explore data from landmark trials such as PEERLESS and STORM-PE to understand their implications for patient selection and treatment strategies. The course concludes with a synthesis of current guideline recommendations and emerging trends that are shaping contemporary and future standards of PE care. 

Commercial Supporter:


Baptist Health gratefully acknowledges the educational grant provided by Penumbra. 
 

Target Audience

Internal Medicine Physicians, Cardiologists, Pulmonologists, Podiatrists, Oncologists, Pharmacists, Physician Assistants/Physician Associates, Residents, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and all other interested healthcare providers.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this conference, participants should be better able to:

  • Explain the historic and standard treatment approach to acute pulmonary embolism (PE), with emphasis on the role and limitations of anticoagulation. 
  • Describe the indications, mechanisms, and clinical considerations for catheter directed therapies and ultrasound facilitated thrombolysis (e.g., EKOS). 
  • Differentiate mechanical thrombectomy and catheter assisted venous therapies (CAVT), including their procedural principles and appropriate patient selection. 
  • Analyze key findings from landmark clinical trials—such as PEERLESS and STORM PE—and apply their implications to contemporary PE management. 
  • Discuss current guideline recommendations and evaluate emerging trends that may influence future standards of care for acute PE.
     
Additional information
Bibliography: 
  • Kearon, C., Akl, E. A., Ornelas, J., Blaivas, A., Jimenez, D., Bounameaux, H., Huisman, M., King, C. S., Morris, T. A., Sood, N., Vintch, J. R., Wells, P., Woller, S. C., & Moores, L. (2021). Antithrombotic therapy for VTE disease: CHEST guideline and expert panel report. Chest, 160(6), e545–e608.
  • Konstantinides, S. V., Meyer, G., Becattini, C., Bueno, H., Geersing, G.-J., Harjola, V.-P., Huisman, M. V., Humbert, M., Jennings, C., Jimenez, D., Kucher, N., Lang, I. M., Lankeit, M., Lorusso, R., Mazzolai, L., Meneveau, N., Ni Ainle, F., Prandoni, P., Pruszczyk, P., … ESC Scientific Document Group. (2019). 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism. European Heart Journal, 40(42), 3453–3455.
  • Kucher, N., Boekstegers, P., Müller, O. J., Kupatt, C., Beyer Westendorf, J., Heitzer, T., Tebbe, U., Horacek, T., Stöhr, R., Härtel, D., Lange, J. F., & Konstantinides, S. (2014). Randomized, controlled trial of ultrasound assisted catheter directed thrombolysis for acute intermediate risk pulmonary embolism (ULTIMA). Circulation, 129(4), 479–486.
  • PEERLESS Trial Investigators. (2024, April). The PEERLESS Trial. Presented at the American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session (ACC 2024).
  • Piazza, G., Hohlfelder, B., Jaff, M. R., Ouriel, K., Engelhardt, T., Sterling, K. M., Jones, N., Gurley, J. C., Finks, S. W., Cynamon, J., Chaitman, B. R., & Goldhaber, S. Z. (2015). A prospective, single arm, multicenter trial of catheter directed therapy for massive and submassive pulmonary embolism (SEATTLE II). Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 65(22), 2267–2275.
  • STORM PE Trial. (2025). STORM PE trial results. PR Newswire.
  • Tu, T., Toma, C., Tapson, V. F., Adams, C., Jaber, W. A., Amin, V. A., Hall, R. G., Hamilton, A., McDaniel, M., Jaff, M. R., & Engelhardt, T. (2019). FLARE: Initial 48 hour outcomes of the FlowTriever mechanical thrombectomy device for acute intermediate risk pulmonary embolism. JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, 12(9), 859–869.
Course Summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.25 ABIM Medical Knowledge
  • 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.25 General certificate of attendance
  • 1.00 Nurse Practitioners
  • 1.00 Florida Board of Nursing
  • 1.25 Florida Board of Pharmacy
Course opens: 
05/01/2026
Course expires: 
04/30/2029
Part of: 
Internal and Family Medicine e-Learning Series

Pouya Aghajafari, M.D.
Interventional Radiologist
Marcus Neuroscience Institute
Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital
Boca Raton, Florida

Pouya Aghajafari, M.D., faculty for this educational activity, has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* to disclose, and has indicated that the presentation or discussion will not include off-label or unapproved product usage.

John F. Rubin, M.D., FACP, director for this educational activity, has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* to disclose, and has indicated that the presentation or discussion will not include off-label or unapproved product usage.

*Ineligible companies - Companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Disclosure Policy and Disclaimer

Baptist Health South Florida is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Baptist Health has been re-surveyed by the ACCME and awarded Commendation for 6 years as a provider of CME for physicians.

Baptist Health South Florida designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Board of Internal Medicine Maintenance of Certification

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.25 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

Your participation information will be shared with specialty boards through the ACCME's PARS reporting system. Successful completion of a course examination is required. Submissions are recorded in approximately 48 hours. You will receive an email when your credits have been processed.

Through an agreement between the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, medical practitioners participating in the Royal College MOC Program may record completion of accredited activities registered under the ACCME’s “CME in Support of MOC” program in Section 3 of the Royal College’s MOC Program.

Available Credit

  • 1.25 ABIM Medical Knowledge
  • 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.25 General certificate of attendance
  • 1.00 Nurse Practitioners
  • 1.00 Florida Board of Nursing
  • 1.25 Florida Board of Pharmacy
Please login or register for a Baptist Health CME account to take this course.

Your participation information will be shared with specialty boards through the ACCME's PARS reporting system. Successful completion of a course examination is required. Submissions are recorded in approximately 48 hours. You will receive an email when your credits have been processed.

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