CT imaging of pulmonary embolism in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: a retrospective analysis

Objectives To describe imaging and laboratory findings of confirmed PE diagnosed in COVID-19 patients and to evaluate the characteristics of COVID-19 patients with clinical PE suspicion. Characteristics of patients with COVID-19 and PE suspicion who required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) were also analysed. Methods A retrospective study from March 18, 2020, until April 11, 2020. Inclusion criteria were patients with suspected PE and positive real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2. Exclusion criteria were negative or inconclusive RT-PCR and other chest CT indications. CTPA features were evaluated and severity scores, presence, and localisation of PE were reported.d-dimer and IL-6 determinations, ICU admission, and previous antithrombotic treatment were registered. Results Forty-seven PE suspicions with confirmed COVID-19 underwent CTPA. Sixteen patients were diagnosed with PE with a predominant segmental distribution. Statistically significant differences were found in the highestd-dimer determination in patients with PE and ICU admission regarding elevated IL-6 values. Conclusion PE in COVID-19 patients in our series might predominantly affect segmental arteries and the right lung. Results suggest that the higher thed-dimer concentration, the greater the likelihood of PE. Both assumptions should be assessed in future studies with a larger sample size.