OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of clinical management in patients suspected of pulmonary embolism as compared with the Dutch consensus for diagnosing pulmonary embolism. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Medical Centre Alkmaar. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of clinical management in patients subjected to ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy on suspicion of pulmonary embolism. RESULTS: In 55 (24%) of the 225 patients included a high-probability scan was found, in 68 (30%) a non-high-probability scan and in 102 (45%) a normal scan. The clinical management in all patients with a normal or high-probability scan was according to the consensus. In the 68 patients with a non-high-probability scan the consensus was completely followed in 16%, partially in 18% and not at all in 66%. CONCLUSION: Clinical management of patients with a non-high-probability scan in the vast majority of cases was not according to the consensus. The consensus was followed in all patients with a normal or high-probability scan.
OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of clinical management in patients suspected of pulmonary embolism as compared with the Dutch consensus for diagnosing pulmonary embolism. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Medical Centre Alkmaar. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of clinical management in patients subjected to ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy on suspicion of pulmonary embolism. RESULTS: In 55 (24%) of the 225 patients included a high-probability scan was found, in 68 (30%) a non-high-probability scan and in 102 (45%) a normal scan. The clinical management in all patients with a normal or high-probability scan was according to the consensus. In the 68 patients with a non-high-probability scan the consensus was completely followed in 16%, partially in 18% and not at all in 66%. CONCLUSION: Clinical management of patients with a non-high-probability scan in the vast majority of cases was not according to the consensus. The consensus was followed in all patients with a normal or high-probability scan.
Authors: Martijn Goosens; Sietske A Smulders; Frank W Smeenk; Alette W Daniëls-Gooszen; Astrid B Donkers-van Rossum; Michela A Edelbroek; Dyde A Huysmans; Arent-Jan Michels; Bart A H M van Straten; Pieter E Postmus Journal: J Oncol Pract Date: 2007-09 Impact factor: 3.840