- Duplex ultrasound is the test of choice to evaluate for DVT
- Many patients with PE have a negative ultrasound
- One study suggests that only 29% of patients with a PE had a positive ultrasound [19]
- With pulmonary signs and symptoms and a positive ultrasound, the suspicion of a PE is high
- Your index of suspicion for a Pulmonary Embolism will increase with:
- Location of DVT (above the knee)
- Onset (within 24 hours)
- Associated respiratory symptoms
- Risk factors (history, malignancy, etc)
| | |