A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a blood clot — usually from the deep veins of the legs — travels to and blocks the arteries in the lungs. It ranges from a small clot with mild symptoms to a massive, life-threatening obstruction that causes the right heart to fail acutely.
What's actually going on in research
Catheter-directed thrombolysis — dissolving clots with clot-busting drugs delivered directly to the pulmonary arteries — is being compared to anticoagulation alone for intermediate-risk PE in large head-to-head trials. Direct oral anticoagulants are now standard for acute PE treatment and are being tested in special populations including cancer patients, pregnant women, and those with antiphospholipid syndrome. Factor XI inhibitors represent a new anticoagulation approach that may prevent clots with substantially less bleeding than current drugs.
Catheter-directed intervention
Delivering thrombolytic drugs or using suction catheters directly in the pulmonary artery is being compared with anticoagulation alone for intermediate-high risk PE in large clinical trials.
Extended anticoagulation
Direct oral anticoagulants are being tested for optimal duration in unprovoked PE — with trials asking whether indefinite therapy or stopping after 3–6 months is safer over the long run.
Factor XI inhibitors
New drugs blocking Factor XI aim to prevent clot formation with significantly lower bleeding risk than current anticoagulants, potentially changing PE treatment for high-bleeding-risk patients.
What to know before you search
Eligibility depends on PE severity (submassive vs. massive), right heart strain on imaging, bleeding risk, and prior anticoagulation history.
What types of trials are currently open
- Treatment trials — Comparing anticoagulation alone versus catheter-directed or systemic thrombolysis for intermediate and high-risk PE.
- Anticoagulant comparison trials — Testing direct oral anticoagulants versus warfarin in special populations including cancer and antiphospholipid syndrome.
- Duration trials — Comparing short versus extended anticoagulation for unprovoked PE to balance recurrence and bleeding risk.
- Novel anticoagulant trials — Evaluating Factor XI inhibitors and other new anticoagulants for PE prevention and treatment.
- Long-term outcomes studies — Tracking development of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after acute PE.
Recently added Pulmonary Embolism trials
Thrombectomy in PE
Pulmonary embolism is a blood clot on the lung, which can cause death or significant reduced quality of life. Sucking the clot out with a special tube (catheter) is a relatively new procedure that can be performed but doesn't have the data required to properly support its use in some patients. We know this procedure works in patients who have no other options and would almost certainly die without intervention. We currently don't know how well this procedure is tolerated, how well it works and what its complications are in patients who are moderately to severely unwell. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), an advisory body, suggests more data is required to support its use in patients who are sick or very sick. This registry aims to support this growing evidence base to workout if the treatment is effective and the associated risks that come with using it. We are collecting data about this procedure and other treatments patients get offered to better inform clinicians and researchers.
Risk Stratification and Prognostic Value of Right Ventricular Dysfunction Screening Using Transthoracic Echocardiography in Acute Pulmonary Embolism
This observational study evaluates right ventricular dysfunction in patients with acute pulmonary embolism using transthoracic echocardiography and assesses its prognostic significance and risk stratification value.
Find Pulmonary Embolism trials matched specifically to you
Answer 3 quick questions and we'll show you trials that fit your situation.