Pulmonary vascular imaging

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Clin. Chest Med.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6277483

Fedullo, P F; Shure, D

A wide range of pulmonary vascular imaging techniques are available for the diagnostic evaluation of patients with suspected pulmonary vascular disease. The characteristics of any ideal technique would include high sensitivity and specificity, safety, simplicity, and sequential applicability. To date, no single technique meets these ideal characteristics. Conventional pulmonary angiography remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of acute thromboembolic disease despite the introduction of newer techniques such as digital subtraction angiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Improved noninvasive lower extremity venous testing methods, particularly impedance plethysmography, and ventilation-perfusion scanning can play significant roles in the noninvasive diagnosis of acute pulmonary emboli when properly applied. Ventilation-perfusion scanning may also be useful as a screening test to differentiate possible primary pulmonary hypertension from chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. And, finally, angioscopy may be a useful adjunctive technique to detect chronic thromboembolic disease and determine operability. Optimal clinical decision-making, however, will continue to require the proper interpretation of adjunctive information obtained from the less-invasive techniques, applied with an understanding of the natural history of the various forms of pulmonary vascular disease and with a knowledge of the capabilities and shortcomings of the individual techniques.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, San Diego
• OSTI ID: 6277483
• Journal Information: Clin. Chest Med.; (United States), Journal Name: Clin. Chest Med.; (United States) Vol. 1; ISSN CCHMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BLOOD PLATELETS
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DIAGNOSTIC USES
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
EMBOLI
INDIUM
ISOTOPES
LUNGS
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
METALS
NMR IMAGING
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIOLOGY
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
USES
VASCULAR DISEASES