The first-ever AHA/ACC clinical practice guideline on acute pulmonary embolism drops a new A-to-E severity classification, promotes PERT teams to Class 1, and finally says it: DOACs over warfarin, LMWH over UFH. Here’s what emergency physicians need to know… Creager MA et al.
2026 AHA/ACC/ACCP/ACEP/CHEST/SCAI/SHM/SIR/SVM/SVN Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Adults: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines . Circulation.
2026 Mar 24;153(12):e977-e1051. The 2011 AHA scientific statement on massive and submassive PE was widely used but it was not a clinical practice guideline.
The 2019 ESC guidelines from Europe became the de facto standard for many clinicians. This 2026 document is the first dedicated AHA/ACC clinical practice guideline for acute PE in adults.
It is a big deal. A completely new severity classification.
The old language of massive, submassive, and low-risk…is gone. In its place: AHA/ACC Acute PE Clinical Categories A through E , with subcategories.
LITFL published a clinical update in Critical Care on 01 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on Goodbye “Massive” and “Submassive”.
Review the original article for the full source wording and details.