A normal perfusion lung scan in patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism. Frequency and clinical validity.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the frequency of a normal perfusion lung scan in a consecutive series of patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism, to determine the complication risk of heparin therapy in those patients treated while awaiting lung scanning, and to evaluate the clinical validity of withholding anticoagulant therapy in patients with a normal lung scan result.


METHODS
Prospective cohort.


METHODS
Two teaching hospitals in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.


METHODS
Consecutive inpatients and outpatients referred for clinically suspected pulmonary embolism who underwent lung scintigraphy.


METHODS
Initiation of intravenous heparin therapy before lung scanning was left to the discretion of the attending physician. Anticoagulant therapy was withheld or withdrawn in patients with a normal lung scan. Patients were followed-up for 6 months.


RESULTS
A normal perfusion scan was obtained in 114 of 412 consecutive patients (28%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 23 to 32%). Major bleeding complications occurred in 2 of 30 patients (6.7%; 95% CI 0.8 to 22.1%) in whom heparin was administered while awaiting lung scintigraphy. One patient was lost to follow-up, and venous thromboembolism (0%; 95% CI 0 to 3.2%) did not develop in the remaining 113 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In a substantial proportion of patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism (28%) the diagnosis is excluded by lung scintigraphy. The test should be performed as soon as feasible to prevent unnecessary hospitalization and bleeding complications. Long-term anticoagulant therapy can be safely withheld in symptomatic patients with a normal perfusion lung scan.
van Beek
E J
EJ
Centre for Hemostasis, Thrombosis, Atherosclerosis and Inflammation Research, Slotervaart Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Kuyer
P M
PM
Schenk
B E
BE
Brandjes
D P
DP
ten Cate
J W
JW
Büller
H R
HR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010477:Perfusion; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D006493:Heparin