Objective: To discuss the value of CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) for assessing the treatment outcome of acute pulmonary embolism (APE).
Materials and methods: CT pulmonary angiogram data and other clinical data were collected for 28 cases diagnosed as APE and analyzed retrospectively. The number and positions of emboli in the pulmonary artery, pulmonary artery obstruction index, right ventricular/left ventricular diameter ratio, main pulmonary artery/ascending aorta diameter ratio and blood oxygen saturation, and pulmonary arterial pressure were compared before and after treatment.
Results: Of 28 cases, emboli in the pulmonary artery completely or partially disappeared in 16 and 12 cases, respectively. CPTA indicated that the pulmonary arterial pressure decreased dramatically and the blood oxygen saturation increased after treatment in 26 cases. There were significant differences in the number and positions of pulmonary emboli and in pulmonary artery obstruction index before and after treatment in 28 cases (P < .05). However, no significant differences were found in the right ventricular/left ventricular diameter ratio or main pulmonary artery/ascending aorta diameter ratio (P > .05).
Conclusion: CT pulmonary angiogram proved reliable for assessing the treatment efficacy of APE, providing more clinical information on the patients' status.
Keywords: CT pulmonary angiogram; pulmonary artery obstruction index; pulmonary embolism.
© 2017, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.