[Scintigraphic assessment of patients with pulmonary thromboembolism by extent of perfusion defect and right...

In 36 cases, severity of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) were determined with extent of perfusion defect (%PD) from pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy combined right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) from radionuclide angiocardiography. In 27 cases, follow-up scintigraphy was also done. After medical therapy, delta PD (= initial %PD-follow up %PD) was significant improved in patients with normal RVEF (greater than 38%) (19.40 +/- 15.58%: n = 15) than that in those with reduced RVEF (less than or equal to 38%) (0.00 +/- 3.9%). In follow-up studies, patients with larger %PD (greater than or equal to 40) showed poor prognosis than those with moderate or less %PD (less than 40). In conclusion, these both non-invasive indicators were proved to be useful for the evaluation not only the clinical severity but the prognosis of pulmonary thromboembolism.