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[Compliance with consensus 'Diagnosis pulmonary embolism' in clinical practice]
F M van der Zant1, R O Boer, J D Kooy
1Afd. Nucleaire Geneeskunde, Medisch Centrum, Alkmaar.
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.