Methods of Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis III (PIOPED III).
In this work, the methods of the Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis III (PIOPED III) are described in detail. PIOPED III is a multicenter collaborative investigation sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The purpose is to determine the accuracy of gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography in combination with venous phase magnetic resonance venography for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PE). A composite reference standard based on usual diagnostic methods for PE is used. All images will be read by 2 blinded and study-certified central readers. Patients with no PE according to the composite reference test will be randomized to undergo gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography in combination with venous phase magnetic resonance venography. This procedure will reduce the proportion of patients with negative tests at no loss in evaluation of sensitivity and specificity.
Stein
Paul D
PD
Department of Research, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, MI 48341-5023, USA. steinp@trinity-health.org
Gottschalk
Alexander
A
Sostman
H Dirk
HD
Chenevert
Thomas L
TL
Fowler
Sarah E
SE
Goodman
Lawrence R
LR
Hales
Charles A
CA
Hull
Russell D
RD
Kanal
Emanuel
E
Leeper
Kenneth V
KV
Nadich
David P
DP
Sak
Daniel J
DJ
Tapson
Victor F
VF
Wakefield
Thomas W
TW
Weg
John G
JG
Woodard
Pamela K
PK