Key result
Early diagnosis of massive pulmonary embolism is necessary for optimal management, though conventional diagnostic methods like electrocardiography and roentgenograms have limitations.
Prompt early diagnosis of massive pulmonary embolism is critical for optimal management, including potentially lifesaving pulmonary embolectomy.
Stresses timely massive pulmonary embolism diagnosis amid conventional test limits; leaves open whether modern modalities improve outcomes.
PROMPT early diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is necessary for optimal management, either surgical or medical. Pulmonary embolectomy is now technically feasible and may be lifesaving if performed promptly in correctly selected patients.1,2Those who might benefit most from embolectomy are the patients in whom a simple, rapid, accurate diagnostic technique is most urgently needed. The conventional methods of diagnosis include electrocardiography, roentgenograms of the chest, pulmonary angiography, and lung scanning using particulate radioactive substances. Electrocardiography relies on acute changes which indicate a strain on the right side of the heart or recent onset of right bundle branch block.3The typical "wedge-shaped" area of opacification seen on the chest roentgenogram is rarely present at the time of onset of symptoms, even when massive pulmonary embolism has occurred.4Pulmonary angiography can be performed by selective arterial catheterization or by direct venous injections. The former requires direct injection through a
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Henry R. Shibata (1966) conducted a review in Massive Pulmonary Embolism. Bedside diagnostic techniques was evaluated. Early diagnosis of massive pulmonary embolism is necessary for optimal management, though conventional diagnostic methods like electrocardiography and roentgenograms have limitations.
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