Diagnostic approaches to suspected deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
The present paper aims at reviewing our present knowledge on the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism with a particular emphasis on clinically suspected outpatients. The various contemporary diagnostic tools (including clinical probability assessment, fibrin D-Dimer measurement, venous compression ultrasonography, ventilation/perfusion lung scintigraphy, helical CT scan, and echocardiography) are presented and rational sequential strategies are discussed in their various aspects, including validation in outcome studies, and cost-effectiveness analyses.
Division of Angiology and Hemostasis, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. henri.bounameaux@medecine.unige.ch
Henri
H
Bounameaux
Arnaud
A
Perrier
D000465:Algorithms; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis*