Abstract
By combining score based clinical pretest probability with D-Dimer testing and appropriate imaging protocols pulmonary embolism (PE) can be accurately detected. Early risk adapted therapies helped to significantly reduce mortality and morbidity of pulmonary embolism.
CT has been established as gold standard in the diagnostic algorithm of the 2014 ESC guideline. In case of hemodynamically instable patients echocardiography is the modality of choice to rule in or rule out PE and identify other entities which critically compromise the cardiovascular system.
In some cases CUS can support the diagnostic algorithm, where CT alone is not sufficient to make the diagnosis.
V/Q might still be warranted in some clinical scenarios like pregnancy or renal failure.
