New Treatments & Clinical Trials for Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs, typically traveling from a deep vein in the leg. It affects roughly 1 in 1,000 Americans each year and can be life-threatening. Treatment has long centered on anticoagulants to prevent new clots, but research now explores clot removal devices, better risk prediction, and ways to prevent long-term lung damage.

What's actually going on in research

Trials are testing catheter-based clot removal for massive PE, comparing newer oral anticoagulants like apixaban and rivaroxaban to warfarin, studying shorter treatment durations for low-risk patients, and examining whether early intervention prevents chronic lung problems. Researchers are also working on better ways to identify who's at high risk for recurrence and who can safely stop anticoagulation.

What to know before you search

Eligibility typically depends on PE severity, how recently it occurred, other clotting risk factors, kidney function, and bleeding risk.

What types of trials are currently open

• Device trials — Testing catheters and other tools that physically remove or break up clots in the lungs, usually for large or high-risk PE.
• Anticoagulation trials — Comparing different blood thinners, treatment durations, or dosing strategies to find the best balance between preventing clots and avoiding bleeding.
• Prevention trials — Testing whether extended anticoagulation prevents recurrent clots in high-risk patients, or studying risk prediction tools to guide treatment decisions.
• Post-PE studies — Following patients after PE to understand long-term outcomes, including chronic shortness of breath, exercise capacity, and quality of life.