What is the difference between CT angiography and pulmonary angiogram?

CT pulmonary angiography has nearly entirely replaced conventional pulmonary angiography in common practice as it is less invasive, faster, safer, and provides most of the same diagnostic information with the added benefit of visualizing the lung tissue as well as other structures.

Can CT pulmonary angiography allow assessment of severity and prognosis in patients presenting with pulmonary embolism?

Risk stratification of patients with PE is important because optimal management, monitoring, and therapeutic strategies depend on the prognosis. Recent studies have demonstrated that CT pulmonary angiography not only allows diagnosis of PE but also enables accurate assessment of PE severity in a single examination.

What is the purpose of CT pulmonary angiography?

CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) is a medical diagnostic test that employs computed tomography (CT) angiography to obtain an image of the pulmonary arteries. Its main use is to diagnose pulmonary embolism (PE).

How is a computed tomography pulmonary angiogram performed?

The computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA/CTPE) is a commonly performed diagnostic examination to exclude pulmonary emboli. Each radiology department will have a slightly different method for achieving the same outcome, i.e. adequate enhancement of the pulmonary trunk and its branches.

Is there a risk of cancer from CT angiography?

There is always a slight risk for cancer from repeated exposure to radiation, but the benefits of getting an accurate diagnosis generally outweigh the risks. The amount of radiation used during CT angiography is considered minimal, so the risk for radiation exposure is low.

Which is the best description of a CT angiogram?

CT pulmonary angiogram (technique) The computed tomography pulmonary angiogram ( CTPA / CTPE) is a commonly performed diagnostic examination to exclude pulmonary emboli. Each radiology department will have a slightly different method for achieving the same outcome, i.e. adequate enhancement of the pulmonary trunk and its branches.

When to request a pulmonary angiogram ( CTPA )?

CTPA is typically only requested if pulmonary embolism is suspected clinically. If the probability of PE is considered low, a blood test called D-dimer may be requested. If this is negative and risk of a PE is considered negligible, then CTPA or other scans are generally not performed.