What are the three YEARS criteria?

The three criteria are: (1) clinical signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), such as leg swelling and pain with palpation; (2) hemoptysis (coughing up blood); and (3) whether PE is the most likely diagnosis in the clinician's judgment.

What D-dimer threshold is used when no YEARS criteria are present?

When 0 criteria are present, PE can be ruled out if the D-dimer is below 1000 ng/mL (1.0 mg/L). This raised threshold safely excludes PE in a larger proportion of patients without imaging.

What D-dimer threshold is used when one or more YEARS criteria are present?

When 1 or more criteria are present, the standard threshold of 500 ng/mL (0.5 mg/L) is applied. If D-dimer exceeds this, CT pulmonary angiography is required.

Is this tool a substitute for clinical judgment?

No. This calculator is for educational and decision-support purposes only. Always apply clinical judgment, consider patient-specific factors, and follow your institution's protocols when managing suspected PE.

Where was the YEARS algorithm validated?

The YEARS algorithm was validated in the prospective multicenter YEARS study published in The Lancet (van der Hulle et al., 2017), involving over 3,000 patients with clinically suspected PE.

Does the YEARS algorithm replace the Wells score?

The YEARS algorithm is an alternative, simplified approach to PE risk stratification. Unlike the Wells score, it has only three criteria and directly integrates the D-dimer test, making it faster to apply at the bedside.

YEARS Algorithm for PE Calculator

Name: YEARS Algorithm for PE Calculator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Assess three YEARS criteria to determine whether a standard or higher D-dimer threshold should be used when evaluating suspected pulmonary embolism.

YEARS Clinical Criteria

Check each criterion present in the patient. Leave unchecked if absent.

Clinical signs of DVT

Leg swelling AND pain with deep palpation of the veins

Hemoptysis

Patient is coughing up blood

PE most likely diagnosis

In the clinician's judgment, PE is the most likely or only diagnosis

D-dimer Level (optional — for instant interpretation)

Select criteria and click Calculate
to see the YEARS result.

Summary

Assess three YEARS criteria to determine whether a standard or higher D-dimer threshold should be used when evaluating suspected pulmonary embolism.

How it works

Assess each of the three YEARS clinical criteria for the patient.
Count the number of positive criteria (0, 1, 2, or 3).
If 0 criteria are met, use a D-dimer threshold of 1000 ng/mL (1.0 mg/L) to rule out PE.
If 1 or more criteria are met, use the standard D-dimer threshold of 500 ng/mL (0.5 mg/L).
If D-dimer is below the applicable threshold, PE is considered ruled out without CTPA.
If D-dimer equals or exceeds the threshold, proceed to CT pulmonary angiography.

Use cases

Emergency department triage of patients with suspected PE.
Reducing unnecessary CTPA imaging in low-probability patients.
Clinical education on evidence-based PE diagnostic pathways.
Pre-imaging risk stratification in outpatient and inpatient settings.
Decision support for residents and medical students learning PE workup.
Audit and quality improvement for PE diagnostic protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related tools

Wells Criteria Pe Perc Rule Wells Criteria Dvt Caprini Score

Last updated: 2026-05-23 · Reviewed by Nham Vu