Advances in diagnosing and excluding pulmonary embolism: spiral CT and D-dimer measurement

Teresa L Carman; Steven R Deitcher

doi:10.3949/ccjm.69.9.721

Advances in diagnosing and excluding pulmonary embolism: spiral CT and D-dimer measurement

Cleve Clin J Med. 2002 Sep;69(9):721-9. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.69.9.721.

Authors

Teresa L Carman¹, Steven R Deitcher

Affiliation

¹ Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.

PMID: 12222977
DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.69.9.721

Abstract

No single imaging study or blood test is 100% sensitive and specific for pulmonary embolism. A combination of pretest clinical probability assessment, noninvasive pulmonary imaging (V/Q scanning or spiral CT), and D-dimer testing seems prudent before pursuing pulmonary angiography.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Angiography
Diagnosis, Differential
Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / analysis*
Humans
Pulmonary Embolism / diagnosis*
Sensitivity and Specificity
Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*

Substances

Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products
fibrin fragment D