Wells Score (PE)

PE Pretest Probability: Combines risk factors and clinical gestalt. The modified threshold (Binary) defines PE as "Likely" if score > 4.

Clinical Predictors

Wells PE Probability

0

3-Tier Class

Low

~1.3% Prevalence

Binary Interpretation

PE Unlikely

Clinical Action Plan

D-dimer rule-out

Guidelines & Evidence

Verified

Last Review: 2026-07-17

When to Use

Assessing the pretest probability of Pulmonary Embolism in symptomatic patients.

Deciding between rule-out with D-dimer vs. direct imaging (CTPA).

Applying the "PE Unlikely" threshold in emergency triage.

The 'Likely' Pivot

The modified Wells Score uses a binary threshold: ≤ 4 (PE Unlikely) vs > 4 (PE Likely). A negative D-dimer can only safely rule out PE in the "Unlikely" group.

How it Works

Criteria (Weighted Points)

Criterion	Points
Clinical signs and symptoms of DVT	3.0
PE is #1 diagnosis OR at least as likely	3.0
Heart rate > 100 bpm	1.5
Immobilization (≥ 3 days) or surgery (≤ 4 weeks)	1.5
Previous objective DVT or PE	1.5
Hemoptysis	1.0
Malignancy (Active or treated within 6 months)	1.0

3-Tier Probability (Original)

Score	Level	PE Prevalence
0 - 1	Low	1.3%
2 - 6	Moderate	16.2%
> 6	High	40.6%

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026-07-17

Recent Journal Updates

PLOS MedicineJul 21, 2026

Optimising scale-up of injectable lenacapavir for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in South Africa: A modelling study and economic evaluation

Clinical Context

We think this has broad domain relevance to Wells Score for Pulmonary Embolism (PE).

FDA MedWatchJul 13, 2026

Pulmonary Valve Catheter Delivery System Recall: Medtronic Removes Harmony Delivery Catheter System (DCS)

Clinical Context

We think this might be relevant to the clinical guidance for Wells Score for Pulmonary Embolism (PE).

Tropical Med & Intl HealthJul 8, 2026

Decline in Calmette‐Guérin Bacillus Vaccination Coverage and Change in the Spatiotemporal Pattern of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis in Children and Adolescents in Brazil: An Ecological Study, 2004–2023

Clinical Context

We think this might be relevant to the clinical guidance for Wells Score for Pulmonary Embolism (PE).

Wells Score (PE)

0

When to Use

When to Use

The 'Likely' Pivot

How it Works

Criteria (Weighted Points)

3-Tier Probability (Original)

Clinical Pearls

Clinical Judgment

Computed Tomography (CTPA)

The Evidence

Primary Strategy

Use of a clinical model for safe management of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.

Derivation of a simple clinical model to categorize patients probability of pulmonary embolism: increasing the models utility with the SimpliRED D-dimer.

Origins & History

History

Recent Journal Updates

Wells Score (PE)

0

When to Use

When to Use

The 'Likely' Pivot

How it Works

Criteria (Weighted Points)

3-Tier Probability (Original)

Clinical Pearls

Clinical Judgment

Computed Tomography (CTPA)

The Evidence

Primary Strategy

Use of a clinical model for safe management of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.

Derivation of a simple clinical model to categorize patients probability of pulmonary embolism: increasing the models utility with the SimpliRED D-dimer.

Origins & History

History

Recent Journal Updates