Value of CT pulmonary arteriography and venography in the evaluation of venous thromboembolism in a multiracial Asian population

Background There is increasing evidence that CT pulmonary arteriography and venography allow a better diagnostic yield for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The aim was to investigate the value for using such an approach in a multiracial Asian population. Methods A total of 135 consecutive subjects with clinically suspected PE in various clinical settings (postoperative in 23 subjects) were referred and evaluated for venous thromboembolism using CT pulmonary arteriography and venography in a tertiary hospital, Malaysia. The distribution of DVT was assessed based on the frequency rate of thrombosis in a particular anatomical region (inferior vena cava, pelvic, femoral and popliteal). Results In 130 subjects, excluding 5 subjects having poor images, both DVT and PE were detected in 11.5% (15/130) subjects and DVT alone was detected in 6.9% (9/130) subjects giving a combined rate of venous thromboembolism of 18.4%. A history of malignancy was significantly associated with positive scans, P=0.02. It was found that left pelvic veins (18.2%) and left femoral veins (19.5%) were more commonly thrombosed in this population. Conclusion CT pulmonary arteriography and venography is a useful technique in the evaluation of venous thromboembolism in a multi-racial Asian population.