[Diagnostic workup for indicating the presence of pulmonary embolism: still not optimal]
- PMID: 12448959
[Diagnostic workup for indicating the presence of pulmonary embolism: still not optimal]
Abstract
Despite numerous studies, which have documented that only 25-30% of patients presenting with suspected pulmonary embolism actually have emboli, the tendency to overdiagnose and overtreat this disease remains. Findings from the study by Kamphuisen et al. (2002:2083-7) in consecutive patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (non-diagnostic ventilation perfusion scan) in a general training hospital, confirm that with an optimal collaboration between pulmonologists, internists, radiologists and nuclear specialists, who follow a previously agreed diagnostic work-up, the proportion of patients without a proper confirmation or exclusion of pulmonary embolism can be minimized. However, a more promising solution to the problem might be the implementation of a strategy consisting of anamnestic features, measurement of the D-dimer concentration in plasma, and spiral CT.
Comment on
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[Results from a general training hospital for the implementation of a diagnostic workup for pulmonary embolism according to the Dutch Institute for Health Care Improvement].Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2002 Nov 2;146(44):2083-7. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2002. PMID: 12448963 Dutch.
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