Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography and Venography: Diagnostic and Prognostic Properties

Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is now an established test in the diagnosis of suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). Some may argue that it has become the one-stop center for diagnosis and prognosis of acute PE and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Current literature shows CTPA to be reliable and accurate. Management studies have shown patient outcomes are excellent when CTPA is used in the diagnostic algorithm. The addition of computed tomography venography (CTV) increases the sensitivity, which may be worth the added radiation in certain patient populations. Although measures of right heart function, pulmonary artery pressures, and clot burden via CTPA need to be standardized and further validated prospectively, this test may also play a prominent role in determining short-term outcomes in patients with established acute PE.