ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a clinical classification of pulmonary embolism (PE), and to evaluate the optional treatment strategies for different types of PE.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From December 1995 to July 2001, 45 patients with acute PE were hospitalized, of which 33 received intravenous thrombolytic therapy or interventional treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Misdiagnostic rate in the 45 patients with acute PE during first visit was 62.2% and mortality rate was 28.9%. Misdiagnostic rate in acute PE patients who had undergone surgery was 82% and mortality rate was 73%. The effective rate of thrombolytic therapy was 77.7%. Clinical symptoms rapidly disappeared in massive PE patients treated with interventional therapies.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Intravenous thrombolytic therapy is one of the most effective methods for treating acute PE. Application of interventional therapy for severe acute PE is also promising.</p>