COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF THE PULMONARY ARTERIES IN SUSPECTED THROMBOEMBOLISM

Plućna tromboembolija je bolest koju karakterizira opstrukcija jedne ili nekoliko grana plućnih arterija. Tromb, nepravilan krvni ugrušak, uslijed neprestanog protoka krvi udaljava se od hvatišta i kao embolus se nastavlja slobodno kretati. Embolus iz dubokih vena natkoljenice ili zdjelice u 95% slučajeva uzrokuje plućnu emboliju. Klinička manifestacija tromboembolije ima višestruke nespecifične znakove i simptome počevši od boli u prsima, tahipneje i dispneje, a koji mogu biti skloni promjenama. Slijedom toga prezentacija ove bolesti kreće se od asimptomatske, slučajno otkrivene do masivne embolije koja može završiti trenutačnom smrću. Kompjuterizirana tomografija koristi se kao zlatni standard u dijagnozi plućne embolije. Ovu neinvazivnu metodu odlikuje velika preciznost, široka dostupnost i brzo vrijeme obrade. Koristeći se vodotopivim, niskoosmolalnim kontrastnim sredstvom dobiva se uvid u vaskularizaciju pluća, ali i pruža mogućnost otkrivanja druge patologije osim tromboembolije pluća. Uz CTPA koja je najviše provodi u dijagnostici plućne tromboembolije, na raspolaganju su nam i perfuzijska te ventilacijska scintigrafija, MR angiografija i direktna plućna angiografija (DSA). Ispravno liječene potrebno je započeti što ranije kako bi se smanjio broj smrtnih ishoda. Učinjena je retrospektivna studija u koju su uključeni bolesnici, koji su u razdoblju od 01.01.2020 do 01.03.2020 na Kliničkom zavodu za radiologiju, lokaliteta Sušak, Kliničkog bolničkog centra Rijeka podvrgnuti CT plućnoj angiografiji. Podaci koje smo koristili u ovom istraživanju preuzeti su iz bolničkog informatičkog sustava ISSA. Cilj istraživanja bio je ispitati incidenciju plućne tromboembolije među ispitanicima, kao i zastupljenost bolesnika s pozitivnim nalazom s obzirom na spol i dob. Najvažniji zaključci koji su proizašli iz ovog istraživanja su da je učestalost troboemolije bila nešto veća u žena i da se javljala najčešće među ispitanicima starije životne dobi.Pulmonary thromboembolism is a disease characterized by the obstruction of one or several branches of pulmonary arteries. A thrombus, an irregular blood clot, due to continuous blood flow moves away from the vertices and continues to move freely as an embolus. In 95% of cases, embolus from the deep veins of the thigh or pelvis causes pulmonary embolism. Clinical manifestation of thromboembolism has multiple non-specific signs and symptoms starting from chest pain, tachypnea and dyspnea, which may be prone to changes. Consequently, the presentation of this disease ranges from asymptomatic, accidentally discovered, to massive embolism that can end in immediate death. Computed tomography is used as the gold standard in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. This non-invasive method is characterized by high precision, wide availability and fast processing time. Using a water-soluble, low-osmolal contrast agent, an insight into lung vascularization is obtained,but also the possibility of detecting pathology other than pulmonary thromboembolism can be provided. In addition to computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA), which is mostly used in the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism, perfusion and ventilation scintigraphy, MR angiography and direct pulmonary angiography are also available. Correct treatment should be initiated as early as possible in order to reduce the number of fatal outcomes. A retrospective study was performed which included patients who underwent CT pulmonary angiography in the period from January 1, 2020 to March 1, 2020 at the Clinical Department of Radiology, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Sušak. Data used in this study were taken from the hospital information system ISSA. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism among respondents as well as the prevalence of patients with positive findings according to age and gender. The most important conclusions arising from this study indicate that the incidence of thromboembolia was slightly higher in women and that occurred most often among older respondents