Rate of computed tomography pulmonary angiographies (CTPA) positive for pulmonary embolism and predictive scores.
OBJECTIVE
In March 2005, the Simplified Wells Scoring System was introduced as a predictive tool for pulmonary embolism at Hairmyres Hospital in Scotland. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the Wells score in predicting the presence of pulmonary embolism in terms of rate of positive computed tomography pulmonary angiographies (CTPAs).


METHODS
Two hundred patients with suspected pulmonary embolism were retrospectively reviewed using a sequential method: 100 patients before implementation of the Wells score and a further 100 after its introduction.


RESULTS
The rate of positive CTPAs for pulmonary embolism changed from 23% before to 27% after the introduction of the Wells Scoring System.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of positive CTPAs did not change significantly after the introduction of the Wells score.
Albrizio
M
M
Radiology Department at Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride, Glasgow, G75 8RG, Scotland, UK. contact@drmauroalbrizio.it
Mizzi
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*