Exclusion of Pulmonary Embolism in Children without Radiation Exposure (BEEPER)

A prospective, observational, cohort study of children ages 4 to 17 years old who have sufficiently high probability of pulmonary embolism (PE). The goal is to measure the diagnostic accuracy of a prediction rule for exclusion of PE (the PERC-Peds rule) and the D-dimer (a lab test used for diagnostic purposes). No study has been performed to prospectively record the presenting complaints, signs, symptoms and comorbidities of children who raised the suspicion of pulmonary embolism (PE) in children. Clinicians must extrapolate what is known about PE in adults to children potentially delaying diagnosis and/or causing unnecessary radiologic testing.