Detection of Pulmonary Embolism With Low-dose CT Pulmonary Angiography

Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is the imaging method of choice to rule out acute pulmonary embolism based on its high sensitivity and specificity. Unfortunately, CTPA uses iodinated contrast media and can provoke contrast induced nephropathy. On the other hand, Computed tomography uses ionising radiation and is responsible for the half of the radiation exposure coming from medical sources. Recent studies have proven that low-dose CTPA protocols using Computed tomography tube energy of 80 kVp and reduced volume of iodinated contrast media provide an increased vessel signal and good image quality at a significantly reduced patient exposure. However, there are no data on the sensitivity of low-kVp protocols. The aim of this prospective randomized trial is to detect any difference between a normal-dose and a low-dose CTPA protocol in the diagnostic accuracy in the detection of acute pulmonary embolism (PE).