An Audit of CTPA and V/Q Scan for Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism in Pregnancy

Overview

Journal Obstet Med

Specialty Gynecology & Obstetrics

Date 2024 May 24

PMID 38784183

Authors

Romy Ehrlich

Sandra Lowe

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) can be fatal yet difficult to diagnose in pregnancy. Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) or ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scans are often conducted, potentially leading to low positive scan rates.

Methods: Retrospective data analysis was conducted for pregnant women and non-pregnant age-matched control who underwent CTPA and/or V/Q scan for investigation of PE. The main outcomes were the positive and non-diagnostic imaging rates.

Results: In total, 440 women underwent V/Q or CTPA scans, 86 of whom were pregnant (19.5%). The positive scan rate was 3.5% and 8.8% in the pregnant and non-pregnant groups, respectively ( = 0.1). The non-diagnostic scan rate was similar between pregnant and non-pregnant groups (13.9% vs 9.9%, = 0.3). Within the pregnant group, there were more non-diagnostic CTPAs than V/Q scans ( = 0.005).

Conclusion: Our study confirms a low positive imaging rate and a relatively high non-diagnostic CTPA rate in pregnancy. Newer strategies are needed to reduce the number of negative imaging studies conducted.

Citing Articles

A review of the use of CT pulmonary angiography in pregnant and postpartum women at an academic centre.

Herbst W, Bhoora S, Moodley H, Ranchod A, Westgarth-Taylor T, Zamparini J Obstet Med. 2024; :1753495X241290551.

PMID: 39553164 PMC: 11563497. DOI: 10.1177/1753495X241290551.

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