RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the diagnostic value of triple rule-out computed tomography (CT) in patients suspected of having acute pulmonary embolism (PE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 125 patients with suspicion of PE, of whom 14 patients had the additional clinical suspicion of acute aortic syndrome, underwent electrocardiogram-gated triple rule-out dual-source CT. The contrast media application protocol was adjusted to obtain a homogenous attenuation of the pulmonary arteries, thoracic aorta, and coronary arteries. The diagnostic performance of triple rule-out CT was assessed by using adjudicated discharge diagnoses as reference standards. RESULTS: A total of 161 adjudicated cardiovascular discharge diagnoses were made in the 125 patients (including all true-positive and true-negative findings): acute PE was found in 26 (21%) and was excluded by CT in 99 (79%), coronary artery disease was found in 3 (3%) and was excluded by catheter angiography in 9 (6%), left ventricular systolic dysfunction was found in 2 (2%) and was excluded by echocardiography in 8 (6%), and acute aortic syndrome was found in 5 (4%) and was excluded by CT in 9 (7%) patients. Nonvascular chest disease was found in 34 (27%) and included pneumonia (n = 17), neoplasms (n = 5), fractures/osteolysis (n = 3), pericarditis (n = 2), and post-pneumonectomy syndrome (n = 1). Triple rule-out CT was normal in 53 (42%) patients. Overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of triple rule-out CT for cardiovascular disease were 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] 90-100%), 98% (95%CI 94-100%), 95% (95%CI 82-99%), and 100% (95%CI 97-100%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Triple rule-out CT is feasible in patients with suspicion of PE, reveals a wide range of vascular and non-vascular chest disease, and offers an excellent overall diagnostic performance.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the diagnostic value of triple rule-out computed tomography (CT) in patients suspected of having acute pulmonary embolism (PE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 125 patients with suspicion of PE, of whom 14 patients had the additional clinical suspicion of acute aortic syndrome, underwent electrocardiogram-gated triple rule-out dual-source CT. The contrast media application protocol was adjusted to obtain a homogenous attenuation of the pulmonary arteries, thoracic aorta, and coronary arteries. The diagnostic performance of triple rule-out CT was assessed by using adjudicated discharge diagnoses as reference standards. RESULTS: A total of 161 adjudicated cardiovascular discharge diagnoses were made in the 125 patients (including all true-positive and true-negative findings): acute PE was found in 26 (21%) and was excluded by CT in 99 (79%), coronary artery disease was found in 3 (3%) and was excluded by catheter angiography in 9 (6%), left ventricular systolic dysfunction was found in 2 (2%) and was excluded by echocardiography in 8 (6%), and acute aortic syndrome was found in 5 (4%) and was excluded by CT in 9 (7%) patients. Nonvascular chest disease was found in 34 (27%) and included pneumonia (n = 17), neoplasms (n = 5), fractures/osteolysis (n = 3), pericarditis (n = 2), and post-pneumonectomy syndrome (n = 1). Triple rule-out CT was normal in 53 (42%) patients. Overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of triple rule-out CT for cardiovascular disease were 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] 90-100%), 98% (95%CI 94-100%), 95% (95%CI 82-99%), and 100% (95%CI 97-100%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Triple rule-out CT is feasible in patients with suspicion of PE, reveals a wide range of vascular and non-vascular chest disease, and offers an excellent overall diagnostic performance.
Authors: Ricardo C Cury; Gudrun Feuchtner; Carol Mascioli; Jonathon Fialkow; Paul Andrulonis; Tomas Villanueva; Constantino S Pena; Warren R Janowitz; Barry T Katzen; Jack A Ziffer Journal: J Nucl Cardiol Date: 2011-04 Impact factor: 5.952
Authors: Kelley R Branch; Jared Strote; William P Shuman; Lee M Mitsumori; Janet M Busey; Tessa Rue; James H Caldwell Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-04-16 Impact factor: 3.240