Use of isotope scanning as an aid to the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in the accident and emergency department

• Published in: Archives of emergency medicine Vol. 5; no. 2; pp. 69 - 73
• Main Authors: Reichl, M, Bentley, I S, Sleet, R A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Association for Accident & Emergency Medicine 01-06-1988; Blackwell; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Chest Pain; Emergency and intensive cardiocirculatory care. Cardiogenic shock. Coronary intensive care; Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Humans; Intensive care medicine; Lung - diagnostic imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pulmonary Embolism - diagnostic imaging; Radiography, Thoracic; Radionuclide Imaging; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Pulmonary embolism; Human; Accident; Hospital ward; Cardiovascular disease; Diagnosis; Hemodynamics; Scintigraphy; Emergency; Resuscitation
• ISSN: 0264-4924
• DOI: 10.1136/emj.5.2.69

Twenty-five patients with a clinically suggestive diagnosis of pulmonary embolism were referred directly from the accident and emergency department for a ventilation and perfusion isotope scan. On the basis of a negative scan, the authors were able to discharge 19 patients. The advantages of having direct access to isotope imaging are described.