Hemodynamic Indices derived from Cardiac MRI and ECG Gated Multi Detector CT Angiography during the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism to Predict Its Severity

Abstract

ulmonary embolism remains an important cause of death and imminent diagnosis as well as risk stratification is needed to try to prevent poor outcome for those patients. CT remains the most important modality that can diagnose PE, however recent studies demonstrated that it not only helps in the diagnosis but can also be used for risk stratification of the patients. MRI, is a promising tool in diagnosing the PE especially in major vessels, however it remains the gold standard in assessing the function of the heart, and hence the consequences of PE on the heart and great vessels. MPA diameter, ratio between left and right ventricles diameters, septal deviation, contrast reflux and embolic burden was correlated to ICU admission and 30 days mortality demonstrating the ability of CT and MRI in diagnosis of PE and assessing its severity. This study was conducted on 20 subjects who were diagnosed as PE patients by clinical signs, laboratory results and radiological studies. All subjects underwent CT angiography, among which we opted to perform further MRI examination on 10 patients. The results obtained were collected, calculated, and submitted for statistical analysis.