Relation of DVT and Acute Pulmonary Embolism Assessed with CT Scan

Abstract

Prospectively the quantitative relationship between deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and acute pulmonary embolism (PE). patients were clinically suspected of having venous thrombo-embolic disease underwent combined CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Patients presented with clinical signs of DVT and positive ultrasonography, but there was no clinical sign of PE (Group 1). Patients were presented with clinical signs of PE and positive CTPA (Group 2). In conclusion, although PE occured in a majority of patients with DVT. Venous thromboembolic disease comprises OF pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT).1–12 A patient may present with either of these conditions, or both, and may not always exhibit the signs of one condition. This is particularly concerning with silent PE, where the risk of death increases with the presence of coexisting pulmonary disease, right heart failure to compensate for pulmonary hypertension, and embolic recurrences (which come from the lower limb veins in 90% of cases, and which further increase pulmonary arterial obstruction).13 In patients clinically suspected of having PE, two imaging approaches were recommended: firstly investigating the lower limb veins8, 9, 11 or the pulmonary arteries.3,5,10,14 If DVT or PE is found with either investigation, the presence of the alternative condition is often simply assumed and no further investigation is conducted. Patients are then treated with anticoagulation therapy in order to prevent growth of DVT and/or PE recurrence. However, it is not known whether the actual load of the clot in lower limb veins could predict clot load in pulmonary arteries.