Summary-Rising Use of CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA)
Summary-Rising Use of CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA)
Source: sciencedirect , May 12, 2025 :
1. CTPA usage has increased by 49% over the past 7 years (2017–2023), particularly in emergency departments (EDs).
2. The number of CTPA exams rose from 2,467 in 2017 to 3,684 in 2023.
3. Despite higher utilization, the positivity rate remained stable at an average of 9.1%.
4. CTPA is favored due to:
• High sensitivity and specificity
• Rapid turnaround
• Less invasive than catheter-based angiography
5. Overuse is a concern, especially in patients with low pre-test probability for PE.
6. CTPAs are sometimes ordered not just to rule out PE, but also aortic dissection or malignancy, due to symptom overlap.
7. COVID-19 contributed to increased imaging, as more patients with respiratory symptoms were evaluated for PE.
8. Patient demographics and scan timing matter:
• Black men and patients with high BMI or cancer history had higher positivity rates.
• Asian patients had the lowest positivity rates.
• Scans ordered during overnight shifts were less likely to be positive.