Thursday, August 8, 2013

Pulmonary embolism - Investigations

Chest X-ray - may identify other pulmonary disease such as pneumonia, pneumothorax or lobar Collapse. 

If the X-ray is abnormal with a high clinical suspicion of PE, CTPA should be performed.

If the X-ray is normal, bilateral Doppler ultrasound leg studies should be performed. 

A diagnosis of DVT may indirectly confirm a diagnosis of PE and, since anticoagulant therapy is the same for both conditions, further investigation may not be necessary.

This would limit the radiation doses given to the mother and her fetus.

The choice of technique for definitive diagnosis (V/Q scan or CTPA) will depend on local availability and should be made after discussion with a radiologist.

(RCOG recommendations)

No comments:

Post a Comment