Retrospective validation of the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria rule in ‘PE unlikely’ patients with suspected pulmonary embolism

Abstract

The PERC rule has a high negative predictive value for excluding PE in patients presenting with suspected PE to the ED. However, the PERC rule may still miss around 8% of confirmed PE in patients who are deemed 'PE unlikely' by a dichotomized Wells score. Caution is advised in using the PERC rule as a substitute for the standard D-dimer test in all these patients.