September 1, 2001American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism in Patients with Proximal Deep Vein Thrombosis
Why the study?
What is the diagnostic accuracy of symptoms and lung scan perfusion defects for pulmonary embolism in patients with proximal deep vein thrombosis?
Population
400 patients with phlebography-proven proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
3 months
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
Symptoms lack specificity for PE in proximal DVT; supports imaging confirmation but leaves open outcome impact of routine scans.
Structured PICO
What is the diagnostic accuracy of symptoms and lung scan perfusion defects for pulmonary embolism in patients with proximal deep vein thrombosis?
P
Population
400 patients with phlebography-proven proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
I
Intervention
Symptom assessment and lung scanning and/or pulmonary angiography within 48 hours of inclusion and whenever pulmonary embolism (PE) was suspected
O
Outcome
Incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) during anticoagulant therapy and specificity/sensitivity of PE symptoms and lung scan perfusion defectshard clinical
Symptoms of pulmonary embolism are highly unspecific in patients with proximal DVT, highlighting the necessity of careful imaging studies for accurate diagnosis both at baseline and during anticoagulant therapy.
Cite This Study
Girard et al. (2001) studied this question.