Pulmonary embolism imaging with MDCT

Abstract

The timely and accurate diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is crucial to providing appropriate patient care. Acute PE is a treatable condition with a 3-month mortality rate greater than 15% [1]. Potential complications include cardiogenic shock, hypotension, and myocardial infarction. PE is a relatively common condition, with an estimated overall incidence of about 1 per 1,000 patients within the United States [2]. Of approximately 1,000 computed tomography (CT) studies recently performed to assess for PE at our institution, roughly 10% were found to have PE. Unfortunately, the presenting symptoms of acute PE are relatively nonspecific and may be challenging for the clinician. Symptoms include dyspnea, cough, chest pain, and infrequently, hemoptysis. Chest radiography, electrocardiography (ECG), arterial blood gas measurements, and D-dimer assays all have the potential to suggest PE, but they are nonspecific [3-9]. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Milan.