PULMONARY EMBOLISM-CTPA & VQ SCAN

SUMMARY

1. CTPA is the current standard for primary, noninvasive imaging to diagnose PE.

2. It is especially required when has cardiopulmonary problems that might obscure the results of the V/Q scan.

3. Ventilation/Perfusion lung scan remains useful in obese patients, in those with iodine allergy, and in patients with renal insufficiency when contrast dye is undesirable.

4. The V/Q scan is the test of choice for diagnosis of recurrent PE due to chronic venous thromboembolic disease.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].