Key result
The likelihood of diagnosing a less clinically severe pulmonary embolism on CT pulmonary angiography increased significantly per year from 2004 to 2009 (OR 1.39).
Why the study?
Does increased CTPA utilization result in increased detection of less severe pulmonary emboli in adult emergency department patients?
Population
4,048 consecutive initial computed tomography pulmonary angiographies performed in adult patients in the…
Comparison
Computed tomography pulmonary angiography… vs Temporal comparison.
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
In-hospital
Authors
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May signal overdiagnosis of low-risk PE with rising CTPA use; leaves open whether outcomes justify reduced testing thresholds.
Observational (n=4,048)
No
Does increased CTPA utilization result in increased detection of less severe pulmonary emboli in adult emergency department patients?
Odds Ratio: 1.39 (95% CI 1.1–1.75)
p-value: p=0.01
Increased utilization of CTPA in the emergency department has led to the increased detection of less clinically severe pulmonary emboli, suggesting a trend toward over-diagnosis of low-risk disease.
Schissler et al. (2013) conducted an observational in Suspected acute pulmonary embolism (n=4,048). Time (per year increase from 2004 to 2009) vs. Previous year was evaluated on Likelihood of diagnosing a less severe PE (no associated right ventricular abnormalities or myocardial injury) per year (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.10-1.75, p=0.01). The likelihood of diagnosing a less clinically severe pulmonary embolism on CT pulmonary angiography increased significantly per year from 2004 to 2009 (OR 1.39).
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