The Pulmonary Embolism Reporting and Data System (PE-RADSTM) framework for diagnosing and classifying acute pulmonary embolism using CT and magnetic resonance (MR) angiography was announced today. RadiologyJournal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Developed by the American College of Radiology (ACR) in collaboration with representatives from six other major medical groups, PE-RADS aims to streamline communication and patient care for potentially life-threatening diseases.
Timely and accurate assessment of acute pulmonary embolism is essential. Blood vessels in the lungs can suddenly become blocked, reducing blood flow and putting strain on the heart, which can be fatal if untreated. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, and low blood pressure.
The goal of PE-RADS is to improve communication between healthcare providers treating patients with acute pulmonary embolism. As the first standardized glossary and structured reporting system for pulmonary embolism imaging, PE-RADS v2026 is designed to clearly and consistently report CT and MR angiography findings and provide a framework to guide next steps in patient care. ”
Lynn M. Koweek, MD, Professor and Associate Professor of Radiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, and Chair of the ACR PE-RADS Committee
CT pulmonary angiography is the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary embolism. MR angiography is also a non-invasive and highly accurate test that can be used for diagnosis.
“These are commonly performed tests, but they can be difficult to interpret, and imaging findings are critical to patient management,” Dr. Koweek said. “Standard terminology reduces variation in the reporting and understanding of radiology reports. We hope that all radiologists will use PE-RADS to enable clear communication and coordination with their treatment teams.”
PE-RADS v2026 provides a simple 0-4 grading scale and hierarchical framework to classify thrombus location in combination with right heart imaging capabilities, supporting risk stratification and guiding patient management across a multidisciplinary team. The system also includes modifiers that indicate diagnostic limitations due to image quality and non-pulmonary embolism causes of pulmonary artery disease.
PE-RADS was developed by imaging specialists and clinicians who treat patients with suspected or diagnosed pulmonary embolism. Half of the specialists were selected by the ACR, and the other half were nominated by the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American College of Thoracic Physicians, the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team Consortium, the Society of Thoracic Radiology, the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and the Society of Interventional Radiology.
The new framework is aligned with existing pulmonary embolism guidelines and is designed to be easy to implement and allow for future expansion and refinement as data emerge to assess the impact on outcomes and resource utilization.
“Consistent terminology and reporting not only facilitates effective communication among healthcare providers, but also builds a stronger foundation for studying outcomes, resource utilization, and future improvements in pulmonary embolism treatment,” said Dr. Coweek. “PE-RADS provides a structured framework to standardize reporting today and evolve as treatments and evidence advance.”
The ACR RADS program began in 1992 with the goal of providing a standardized framework for the interpretation and reporting of disease-oriented medical imaging results and promoting effective communication between radiologists and referring physicians.
sauce:
Radiological Society of North America
Reference magazines:
Coweek, L.M.; others. (2026). Pulmonary Embolism Reporting and Data System (PE-RADSTM) v2026 for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism in CT and MR angiography. Radiology. DOI: 10.1148/radiol.252721. https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiol.252721
