Key result
Half-dose perfusion scanning excludes pulmonary embolism in ~90% of pregnant patients without further imaging.
Why the study?
The diagnostic approach and outcomes of suspected pulmonary embolism during pregnancy or postpartum were not well characterized in this setting.
Does half-dose perfusion scanning effectively diagnose or exclude suspected pulmonary embolism in pregnant or postpartum patients?
Population
210 patients with suspected PE during pregnancy or 6 weeks postpartum referred to a large teaching hospital AMU
Comparison
Half-dose perfusion scanning vs historical non-pregnant cohort from previous audit
Design
Five-year retrospective observational review
Authors
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5.2% PE yield supports ambulatory half-dose scanning in peripartum patients; retrospective data leave open prospective validation.
Observational (n=210)
No
Does half-dose perfusion scanning effectively diagnose or exclude suspected pulmonary embolism in pregnant or postpartum patients?
Absolute Event Rate: 5.2% vs 18%
Half-dose perfusion scanning effectively excludes pulmonary embolism in the vast majority of pregnant and postpartum patients with suspected PE, minimizing the need for further imaging.
Hamilton et al. (2016) conducted an observational in Suspected Pulmonary Embolism (PE) during pregnancy or 6 weeks postpartum (n=210). Half-dose perfusion scanning vs. Non-pregnant patients from a previous audit was evaluated on Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Half-dose perfusion scanning diagnosed pulmonary embolism in 5.2% of pregnant or postpartum patients compared to 18% in non-pregnant patients, excluding PE in 90% without further imaging.
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