Panel discussion: Pulmonary embolism imaging and outcomes

摘要

Pulmonary Embolism and Outcomes Questions regarding the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE) have been asked for over 35 years [1,2]. The mundane availability of good-quality contrast-enhanced chest CT and pulmonary CT an-giography (CTA) simplifies the identification of PE [3-5] while creating new questions regarding appropriate follow-up actions. With a typical prevalence of one positive pulmonary CTA per 20 performed, a relative risk-benefit analysis is indicated. The need for outcome information became obvious. In this issue of AJR, five articles with portions of the desired outcome information are presented. These articles cover increasing diagnosis with stable mortality [6], predictive value of secondary pulmonary CTA findings [7, 8], imaging in pulmonary hypertension [9], and radiation risks and benefits of pulmonary CTA [10].