Blood Clot Diagnosis
What is the rate of death in people who have a PE?
This depends upon age, health, and underlying medical conditions, as well as the cause of the PE.
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What fraction of people with a PE have an identifiable DVT?
One-third to two-thirds.
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What fraction of people with a DVT get a PE?
The risk varies depending on the location of the clot. The risk for a PE increases the higher up in the leg the DVT occurs. For example, a calf DVT has a lower risk of breaking off and becoming a PE than a clot behind the knee or one in the groin or pelvic veins. Essentially, the larger the vein with the clot, the greater the risk of developing a PE.
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What is the relationship between a DVT and a PE?
A DVT is often the source of a clot that travels to the lung arteries and becomes a PE.
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How do I know a DVT isn’t simply a pulled muscle?
A pulled calf muscle usually gets better in a day or two. Another sign of a DVT is bluish or reddish skin discoloration, and skin that is warm to touch. These other signs do not usually happen with a pulled muscle. Learn more about DVT diagnosis.
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Is it common for a Pulmonary Embolism (PE) to be misdiagnosed as a pulled muscle, pleurisy, anxiety, asthma, etc?
Yes. PE mimics many other diseases and is particularly difficult to diagnose. Learn more about a PE diagnosis.
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Why did I get a chest X-ray?
To rule out pneumonia, another common cause of chest pain and breathing difficulty. Learn more about PE diagnosis.
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Is the Ventilation-Perfusion VQ scan the best non-invasive method for detecting a PE?
It is the best current non-invasive technique for detecting a PE. Spiral CT (computed tomography) imaging is a new non-invasive technique being developed and has potential for replacing the VQ scan. Read more about PE diagnosis.
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How is a Pulmonary Embolism diagnosed?
If a VQ scan does not identify a clot, but one is still suspected, a pulmonary angiogram is performed. A catheter is threaded through a vein in the groin, passed through the heart, and into the pulmonary artery. Contrast dye is then injected and X-rays are taken to monitor the blood flow in the lung. The angiogram will give a definite diagnosis as to the presence of a clot. Occasionally, an echocardiogram will show abnormalities in heart function, particularly in the right ventricle, as it meets resistance in pumping blood into the lungs. Learn more about PE diagnosis.
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How is a Deep Vein Thrombosis diagnosed?
Most often, ultrasound is used to diagnose blood clots in the leg veins. This is a non-invasive test. If the results are not definitive, then venography (an invasive test using contrast dye) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be used. Learn more about DVT diagnosis.
