CT pulmonary angiography in pregnant and postpartum women: Low yield, high dose

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic utility of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in pregnant/postpartum women with age-matched controls. Materials: We performed a retrospective case-control series of pregnant/postpartum women and control women who underwent CTPA from 2008 to 2011. Results: The study included 34 pregnant women, 16 postpartum women, and 50 controls. CTPAs were positive in 2% of pregnant/postpartum women and 16% of controls (P= .003). The main pulmonary artery mean opacification was 271 Hounsfield units (HU) for pregnant/postpartum women vs. 303 HU (P= 12). Radiation exposure was high in both groups but lower in pregnant/postpartum women, 10 vs. 14. mSv (P= 003). Conclusion: CTPA in pregnant and postpartum women had low yield and remained high dose.