Risk stratify patients for suspected Pulmonary Embolism (PE).
Clinical Findings
Risk Assessment
Check the criteria that apply to the patient to calculate the probability of PE.
About this calculator
Overview
The Wells' Criteria for Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a risk-stratification tool used to determine the pre-test probability of PE in patients. It helps clinicians decide whether to order a D-dimer test or proceed directly to advanced imaging like a CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA).
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Pro Tips
A heart rate of 100+ should be measured at rest for accuracy.
Malignancy includes active cancer or cancer treated within the last 6 months.
If a patient is high-risk, a negative D-dimer is often not enough to rule out PE.
Always evaluate the 'alternative diagnosis' criterion carefully – it's often the most subjective part of the score.
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Fun Facts
"Pulmonary Embolism occurs when a blood clot (usually from the legs, a DVT) travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow."
"The Wells' score is often used in conjunction with a D-dimer blood test for low-risk patients."
"Symptoms can be non-specific, ranging from short of breath and chest pain to sudden collapse."
"In the 'Two-Tier' model, a score > 4 means PE is 'likely', while ≤ 4 means PE is 'unlikely'."
Formula: Wells Score = Sum of specific clinical criteria points
