Key result
A positive computed tomography pulmonary angiography reading for pulmonary embolism in pregnancy is likely a false positive unless the pre-test probability is at least 5%.
Why the study?
Pulmonary embolism is a major cause of obstetric morbidity and mortality, but overdiagnosis from excessive diagnostic testing causes long-term health issues.
A structured diagnostic approach using clinical scoring and D-dimer to refine pre-test probability before CTPA can decrease overutilization and limit false-positive PE diagnoses in pregnancy.
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May reduce unnecessary imaging in pregnant women with suspected PE; leaves open validation of pregnancy-specific algorithms.
Fitzsimmons et al. (2023) conducted a review in Pulmonary embolism in pregnancy. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) was evaluated. A positive computed tomography pulmonary angiography reading for pulmonary embolism in pregnancy is likely a false positive unless the pre-test probability is at least 5%.
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