Pulmonary angiography is the most definitive diagnostic test for pulmonary embolism, as it provides a clear picture of the blood flow in the arteries of the lungs. It can detect even small clots and determine the location and extent of the obstruction. However, because it requires a high degree of skill to perform and has potentially serious risks, it is usually done when other tests fail to provide a definite diagnosis1. Other tests that can be used to diagnose pulmonary embolism include CT pulmonary angiography, ventilation-perfusion scan, D-dimer test, chest X-ray, ultrasound, and MRI23. However, these tests may have limitations such as low sensitivity, low specificity, radiation exposure, contrast allergy, or availability4.
References:
Pulmonary embolism - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic, under “Pulmonary angiogram”.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE): Symptoms, Signs & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic, under “How is a pulmonary embolism diagnosed?”.
Diagnosis of Pulmonary embolism and what are its different treatment options?, under “Diagnosis for Pulmonary embolism”.
Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism - UpToDate, under “Overview”.
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Pulmonary embolism
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