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Management of the Incidental Pulmonary Embolism

Victor Chiu1, Casey O'Connell1

  • 11 Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1441 Eastlake Ave, NOR 3470, Los Angeles, CA 90033.

AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|December 23, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Incidental pulmonary embolism (PE) detection is rising with MDCT, posing a management challenge. Treatment for subsegmental PE may depend on patient symptoms and thrombosis risk factors.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Increasing incidental pulmonary embolism (PE) detection due to multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT).
  • Management challenges arise from a lack of prospective data for incidental PE.
  • Current practice often mirrors treatment for symptomatic PE for proximal or segmental incidental PE.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address the management challenges of incidentally detected pulmonary embolism.
  • To provide guidance on the treatment of subsegmental incidental PE.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current clinical practices and available data regarding incidental PE.
  • Analysis of factors influencing treatment decisions for subsegmental PE.

Main Results:

  • Incidental PE identification is increasing.
  • Prospective data for guiding treatment is limited.
  • Treatment decisions for subsegmental PE require careful consideration.

Conclusions:

  • Subsegmental PE treatment can be individualized.
  • Patient symptoms, recurrent venous thrombosis risk, and deep venous thrombosis presence are key factors.
Keywords:
MDCTincidentalmanagementpulmonary embolismunsuspected

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