QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
This is a non-specific test, however, if negative it can be useful to rule out a pulmonary embolism. It is not completely diagnostic and a CTPA or a lower limb duplex in the case of pregnant patients are needed. There are many causes of a raised D Dimer, including pregnancy.
10000194
d
D-dimer
QuestionChoice
A lower limb duplex is the diagnostic test for a pulmonary embolism in a pregnant patient. This patient likely developed deep vein thrombosis due to her hypercoagulable state with pregnancy and the clot embolised and travelled to her lung.
10000191
a
Lower limb duplex
QuestionChoice
This is often normal in a pulmonary embolism although may be useful at a later stage to rule out other differentials like an infection.
10000193
c
Chest x-ray
QuestionChoice
ECG can be useful to check for right heart strain as a complication of pulmonary embolism, however, it is not diagnostic of a pulmonary embolism.
10000195
e
ECG
QuestionChoice
CT pulmonary angiogram is usually the first line investigation to determine the diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism, however, this patient is pregnant and so a lower limb duplex is the first line investigation, especially if a DVT is thought to be the cause.
10000192
b
CT pulmonary angiogram
QuestionComment
confirm the diagnosis of a PE for breathlessness or DVT for the swollen leg?
52031
User
subscriber
Acute Hypertension
Concept
Chapter
2693
3724
Pulmonary Embolism
Topic
132
Respiratory
12585
A 24-year-old pregnant female presents to A&E with sudden dyspnoea and pleuritic chest pain. She has very swollen ankles due to her pregnancy but her left ankle and lower leg, in particular, are very tender and red.

Which of the following investigations would be useful to confirm the diagnosis?
a