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PERC-Peds

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PERC-Peds, Pulmonary Embolism Rule-out Criteria for Children

  • See Also
  1. Pulmonary Embolism
  2. Pulmonary Embolism Rule-Out Criteria
  • Indications
  1. Evaluation of children at low risk for Pulmonary Embolism
  • Criteria (all 8 must be present)
  1. Clinician gestalt: Low clinical suspicion (<15% estimated probability). No prior Venous Thromboembolism (VTE, PE or DVT)
  2. No surgery requiring intubation within the previous 30 days. No exogenous Estrogen use. No Hemoptysis
  3. Age-adjusted normal Heart Rate
    1. Age <=12 years: Heart Rate <120 bpm
    2. Age >12 years: Heart Rate <100 bpm Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) >94% on room air No suspected Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) on exam (no Unilateral Leg Swelling)
  • Interpretation
  1. Pulmonary Embolism may be reasonably excluded if all 8 criteria are met
  2. Failure to meet all criteria should prompt consideration of other methods to exclude Pulmonary Embolism
  • Efficacy
  1. Test Sensitivity: 99.6%
  2. Test Specificity: 0.1%
  • References
  1. Ellison (2026) Lancet Respir Med 14: 694-703 [PubMed]
  2. Mercurio (2023) Res Pract Thromb Haemost 7(2):100046 +PMID: 36865906 [PubMed]