Skip to main content

Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism: An Integrated Approach to Clinical Evaluation, Laboratory Testing, and Imaging

  • Chapter
Handbook for Venous Thromboembolism

Abstract

Like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a high clinical suspicion is required, especially in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk factors, to make a timely diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). Diagnosis of acute PE is often challenging because the disease presents as a variety of clinical syndromes, ranging from pleuritic pain to cardiac arrest. A diagnostic algorithm that integrates an assessment of clinical probability with appropriate laboratory testing and imaging modalities is critical. Contrast-enhanced chest computed tomogram (CT) is the predominant imaging test used to diagnosis PE.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Dunn KL, Wolf JP, Dorfman DM, Fitzpatrick P, Baker JL, Goldhaber SZ. Normal D-dimer levels in emergency department patients suspected of acute pulmonary embolism. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2002;40:1475–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Stein PD, Hull RD, Patel KC, et al. D-dimer for the exclusion of acute venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: a systematic review. Ann Intern Med. 2004;140:589–602.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Hunsaker AR, Lu MT, Goldhaber SZ, Rybicki FJ. Imaging in acute pulmonary embolism with special clinical scenarios. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging. 2010;3:491–500.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Quiroz R, Kucher N, Zou KH, et al. Clinical validity of a negative computed tomography scan in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism: a systematic review. JAMA. 2005;293:2012–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Stein PD, Chenevert TL, Fowler SE, et al. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography for pulmonary embolism: a multicenter prospective study (PIOPED III). Ann Intern Med. 2010;152:434–43.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Piazza G. Submassive pulmonary embolism. JAMA. 2013;309:171–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Piazza G, Goldhaber SZ. Management of submassive pulmonary embolism. Circulation. 2010;122:1124–9.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. McConnell MV, Solomon SD, Rayan ME, Come PC, Goldhaber SZ, Lee RT. Regional right ventricular dysfunction detected by echocardiography in acute pulmonary embolism. Am J Cardiol. 1996;78:469–73.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Pruszczyk P, Goliszek S, Lichodziejewska B, et al. Prognostic value of echocardiography in normotensive patients with acute pulmonary embolism. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2014;7:553–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Piazza G, Goldhaber SZ. Fibrinolysis for acute pulmonary embolism. Vasc Med. 2010;15:419–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Piazza G, Goldhaber SZ. The acutely decompensated right ventricle: pathways for diagnosis and management. Chest. 2005;128:1836–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Goldhaber SZ. Echocardiography in the management of pulmonary embolism. Ann Intern Med. 2002;136:691–700.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. van Belle A, Buller HR, Huisman MV, et al. Effectiveness of managing suspected pulmonary embolism using an algorithm combining clinical probability, D-dimer testing, and computed tomography. JAMA. 2006;295:172–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Stein PD, Fowler SE, Goodman LR, et al. Multidetector computed tomography for acute pulmonary embolism. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:2317–27.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Perrier A, Bounameaux H. Accuracy or outcome in suspected pulmonary embolism. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:2383–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Piazza, G., Hohlfelder, B., Goldhaber, S.Z. (2015). Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism: An Integrated Approach to Clinical Evaluation, Laboratory Testing, and Imaging. In: Handbook for Venous Thromboembolism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20843-5_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20843-5_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-20842-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-20843-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics