Updated Review of the YEARS Algorithm for Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

The YEARS algorithm is a simplified diagnostic strategy for evaluating suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) that integrates three clinical criteria with variable D-dimer thresholds to reduce unnecessary imaging and can be modified for use in the pregnant population. The three criteria include: (1) clinical signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), (2) hemoptysis, and (3) PE as the most likely diagnosis. In patients with zero YEARS criteria, PE can be excluded if the D-dimer is <1000 ng/mL; in patients with ≥1 criterion, PE can be excluded if the D-dimer is <500 ng/mL.