• Rationale and Comments

    Advances in medical technology have increased the ability to diagnose even small blood clots in the lung. Now, the most commonly used test is known as a CT pulmonary angiogram. It is readily available in most hospitals and emergency rooms. However, disadvantages of the CT pulmonary angiogram include patient exposure to radiation, the use of dye in the veins that can damage kidneys, and high cost. Studies have demonstrated that certain findings in a patient’s medical history put them at very low risk for having a blood clot in the lung. In some cases, a blood test called a D-dimer may be additionally used to screen for the possibility of a clot. If patient historical factors and physical examination findings are negative, along with a negative D-dimer (if the physician chooses to order it), evidence shows that the risk of an undiagnosed blood clot is the same as if the patient had a negative CT pulmonary angiogram. Such a strategy saves the risk of radiation, kidney injury and the high cost of a CT pulmonary angiogram.

    Sponsoring Organizations

    • American College of Emergency Physicians

    Sources

    • AAFP/ACP guidelines

    Disciplines

    • Emergency medicine
    • Pulmonary medicine

    References

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