Alright, we all know that TAPSE (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) is a fun word to say, but the question is whether or not it can be used in the emergency department to help diagnose someone with a pulmonary embolism. The TAPSE is a marker of right heart strain, and we know that PEs can cause right heart strain - so...it seems like a reasonable idea, right? Well this article takes a look to see if this is something that can be done in the ED and whether or not it is accurate for the diagnosis.
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