160: The 2026 AHA/ACC New PE Guidelines with Dr. Mark Creager

The AHA just updated the playbook on acute pulmonary embolism. The old classification system is gone. Heparin drips are no longer the default. And if your instinct is to push for intubation, that could be the thing that makes your patient worse.In this episode, Dr. Mark Creager, lead author of the 2026 AHA Multi-Society Guideline on Acute Pulmonary Embolism, breaks down exactly what's changed, how the new guidelines help teams make better decisions faster, and what nurses need to know about frontline PE management.Learn what the data says about oxygen therapy, anticoagulation, vasopressors, and the decisions that matter most when your PE patient starts to slide.Topics discussed in this episode:The new A to E classification system and how to categorize patientsClinical signs that your PE patient is deterioratingOxygen therapy: why intubation can be dangerousVasopressor therapy and when to add vasopressinLow-molecular-weight heparin vs. unfractionated heparinPE response teams: when to activate and who should be on the teamWhat you can do when your hospital has no PERTWhen to transfer by classification (and when it may be too late)The nurse's role in early recognition and escalationAnd you can check out the full AHA/ACC 2026 updated PE guideline here:https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001415Mentioned in this episode:Xshears are the best shearscheck em out here: https://xshear.com//discount/Rapid10 and you can use code RAPID10 to get 10% off your purchaseCONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/therapidresponsern ✅ Earn CE’s for listening to podcasts through RNegade: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/?ref=d9d541 SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE ⏱️ To get the FREE Rapid Response RN Assessment Guide and the coupon code for $10 off the cost of the course, message Sarah on Instagram @TheRapidResponseRN and type the word PODCAST! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com