🫁 PESI (Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index)
Predict 30-day mortality in acute PE with the original Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index.
Classes I–II are low risk; may allow outpatient care.
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When to use
Risk-stratify PE and support outpatient vs inpatient decisions.
How it works
Age in years plus points (male 10, cancer 30, HF 10, lung 10, HR ≥110 20, SBP <100 30, RR ≥30 20, temp <36 20, altered mentation 60, SaO₂ <90% 20). Classes I (≤65) to V (>125).
Key points
- Classes I–II are low risk; may allow outpatient care.
- Classes IV–V indicate high mortality.
- sPESI is a simpler binary alternative.
References
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Age | 70 years |
|---|---|
| Male sex | No |
| Cancer | No |
| Heart failure | No |
| Chronic lung disease | No |
| Heart rate ≥ 110 | No |
| Systolic BP < 100 | No |
| Respiratory rate ≥ 30 | No |
| Temperature < 36°C | No |
| Altered mental status | No |
| SaO₂ < 90% | No |
→PESI70pts
- Class：II — low (~3%) 30-day mortality
- Disposition：Classes I–II may be candidates for outpatient treatment.
| Age | 70 years |
|---|---|
| Male sex | Yes (+10) |
| Cancer | Yes (+30) |
| Heart failure | Yes (+10) |
| Chronic lung disease | Yes (+10) |
| Heart rate ≥ 110 | Yes (+20) |
| Systolic BP < 100 | Yes (+30) |
| Respiratory rate ≥ 30 | Yes (+20) |
| Temperature < 36°C | Yes (+20) |
| Altered mental status | Yes (+60) |
| SaO₂ < 90% | Yes (+20) |
→PESI300pts
- Class：V — very high (~25%) 30-day mortality
- Disposition：Classes III–V warrant inpatient management.
Frequently asked questions
- What is PESI (Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index)?
- Predict 30-day mortality in acute PE with the original Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index.
- How is PESI (Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index) calculated? What is the core formula?
- Age in years plus points (male 10, cancer 30, HF 10, lung 10, HR ≥110 20, SBP <100 30, RR ≥30 20, temp <36 20, altered mentation 60, SaO₂ <90% 20). Classes I (≤65) to V (>125).
- When is PESI (Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index) used?
- Risk-stratify PE and support outpatient vs inpatient decisions.
- What are the key clinical points for PESI (Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index)?
- Classes I–II are low risk; may allow outpatient care. Classes IV–V indicate high mortality. sPESI is a simpler binary alternative.
- What are the limits and cautions when using PESI (Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index)?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is PESI (Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Age 70 years, Male sex No, Cancer No, Heart failure No, Chronic lung disease No, Heart rate ≥ 110 No, Systolic BP < 100 No, Respiratory rate ≥ 30 No… → Result: PESI 70 pts（Class: II — low (~3%) 30-day mortality, Disposition: Classes I–II may be candidates for outpatient treatment.） Inputs: Age 70 years, Male sex Yes (+10), Cancer Yes (+30), Heart failure Yes (+10), Chronic lung disease Yes (+10), Heart rate ≥ 110 Yes (+20), Systolic BP < 100 Yes (+30), Respiratory rate ≥ 30 Yes (+20)… → Result: PESI 300 pts（Class: V — very high (~25%) 30-day mortality, Disposition: Classes III–V warrant inpatient management.）