Improving outpatient management for low-risk pulmonary embolism patients
Official title: Michigan Emergency Department Improvement Collaborative AltERnaTives to admission for Pulmonary Embolism (MEDIC ALERT PE) Study
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11017732 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to help doctors in emergency rooms safely send home patients with low-risk pulmonary embolism instead of keeping them in the hospital, making sure they have the right medications and follow-up care they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $697,229 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL163438-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017732 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism who are assessed to be at low risk for morbidity and mortality.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism or those requiring immediate hospitalization will not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the management of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) who are at low risk for complications. It aims to develop and evaluate a multi-component intervention that encourages emergency department clinicians to discharge these patients for outpatient care instead of hospital admission. The study will address barriers such as access to anticoagulant medications and follow-up care, while also considering the decision-making processes of busy clinicians. By utilizing a diverse network of emergency departments in Michigan, the research seeks to create a scalable model for outpatient management of low-risk PE patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce unnecessary hospital admissions for low-risk pulmonary embolism patients, leading to better patient outcomes and more efficient use of healthcare resources.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts to manage low-risk pulmonary embolism patients outside of hospital settings have shown limited success, making this approach novel and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barnes, Geoffrey Douglas — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Barnes, Geoffrey Douglas
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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AI-powered tool to better predict and manage acute pulmonary embolism
A new AI system uses imaging and patient data to improve how doctors predict short-term risk and tailor treatment for people with acute pulmonary embolism.
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Endovascular vortex ultrasound to treat blood clots in the lungs
A new therapy uses a tiny ultrasound device inside the blood vessels to rapidly dissolve clots in the lungs of people with pulmonary embolism, aiming to reduce the need for high doses of clot-busting drugs.
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Supplemental Oxygen for Pulmonary Embolism: A Mechanistic Look at How Oxygen Helps the Heart and Lungs
This NIH grant tests how giving extra oxygen affects lung pressure and heart strain in people with acute pulmonary embolism, with supportive animal studies to understand the biology.
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Pulmonary embolism: catheter-directed clot removal for better outcomes
This trial tests whether delivering clot-dissolving medication directly to the lungs via a catheter helps people with submassive pulmonary embolism feel better and function better, with fewer bleeding risks.
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Pulmonary embolism treatment with catheter-directed thrombus removal versus no catheter therapy
This study tests whether removing clot with a targeted catheter approach helps people with submassive pulmonary embolism feel better and move more easily, compared with not using catheter therapy.
-
Molecular and imaging study of blood clots and inflammation in pulmonary embolism
A research project uses a mouse model to understand how blood clots and inflammatory cells affect pulmonary embolism and its outcomes, with the goal of better diagnosis and treatment for people with PE.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.