CTA positive indicates what?

CTA positive indicates what?

• A. PE is confirmed
• B. D-Dimer negative means negative
• C. CXR will show Westermark sign
• D. V/Q scan should be performed

Answer: (A)

A positive CT pulmonary angiography means a pulmonary embolism is confirmed. This test uses IV contrast to visualize the pulmonary arteries, and an intraluminal filling defect where the contrast should flow indicates an embolus obstructing blood flow. In the right clinical setting, that imaging finding is diagnostic for PE and guides immediate treatment. D-dimer is used to screen or rule out PE in low-to-intermediate risk scenarios, not to confirm a diagnosis when CTA is already positive. Other signs on chest X-ray or alternative tests like a V/Q scan may be used in different situations, but they are not as definitive for confirming PE as a positive CTA.

A positive CT pulmonary angiography means a pulmonary embolism is confirmed. This test uses IV contrast to visualize the pulmonary arteries, and an intraluminal filling defect where the contrast should flow indicates an embolus obstructing blood flow. In the right clinical setting, that imaging finding is diagnostic for PE and guides immediate treatment. D-dimer is used to screen or rule out PE in low-to-intermediate risk scenarios, not to confirm a diagnosis when CTA is already positive. Other signs on chest X-ray or alternative tests like a V/Q scan may be used in different situations, but they are not as definitive for confirming PE as a positive CTA.