Key result
Indeterminate CT pulmonary angiograms were primarily caused by motion artifacts and poor contrast enhancement, with significantly lower contrast attenuation than diagnostic studies (245 vs 339 HU; P<0.001).
Why the study?
What are the imaging characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with indeterminate CT pulmonary angiograms?
Observational (n=262)
What are the imaging characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with indeterminate CT pulmonary angiograms?
Absolute Event Rate: 245% vs 339%
p-value: p=<0.001
Motion artifacts and poor contrast enhancement are the major causes of indeterminate CT pulmonary angiograms, which are often clinically interpreted as negative despite a 4.2% rate of thromboembolic disease found on reread or follow-up.
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Indeterminate CTPAs may warrant follow-up imaging; leaves open protocol refinements to reduce motion and boost contrast attenuation.
Jones et al. (2005) conducted an observational in Pulmonary embolism (n=262). Indeterminate CT pulmonary angiogram vs. Diagnostic CT pulmonary angiogram was evaluated on Contrast attenuation in the main pulmonary artery (MPA) (p=<0.001). Indeterminate CT pulmonary angiograms were primarily caused by motion artifacts and poor contrast enhancement, with significantly lower contrast attenuation than diagnostic studies (245 vs 339 HU; P<0.001).
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