Rationale and design of the PE-TRACT trial: A multicenter randomized trial to evaluate catheter-directed therapy for the treatment of intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND: The optimal management of patients with intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism (PE), who have right heart dysfunction (determined by a combination of imaging and cardiac biomarkers) but a normal blood pressure, is uncertain. These patients suffer from reduced functional capacity and a lower quality of life over the long-term, despite use of anticoagulant therapy. Catheter-directed therapy (CDT) is a promising treatment for acute PE …