title: Imaging of acute pulmonary embolism.
abstract: Acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) is a cardiovascular emergency associated with significant morbidity and a 5-35 % mortality for untreated pulmonary embolism. If promptly diagnosed and treated, the mortality rate can be significantly reduced. Diagnosis of acute PE continues to be a clinical challenge, with diagnostic imaging playing an important role. This review discusses the clinical challenges of diagnosing acute PE, presents an evidence-based review of the current tests and ever-evolving imaging technology, and highlights special considerations related to radiation dose, contrast media use, and pregnant patients.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Emergency, Cardiothoracic and Nuclear Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, TC B1-140D, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Komissarova
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Kirk
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Frey
authors.forename: Baskaran
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sundaram
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D015897:Comorbidity; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011829:Radiation Dosage
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D003287:Contrast Media; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D