Which test is used to visualize pulmonary arterial occlusion?

Which test is used to visualize pulmonary arterial occlusion?

• A. Arterial blood gas analysis
• B. D-dimer
• C. CT pulmonary angiography
• D. EKG

Answer: (C)

Visualizing a clot blocking blood flow in the pulmonary arteries is best achieved with CT pulmonary angiography. This test uses contrast-enhanced CT imaging to illuminate the pulmonary vessels; a clot shows up as a filling defect where the contrast should fill the artery, directly revealing the occluded segment. This direct visualization makes CT pulmonary angiography the imaging method of choice for confirming pulmonary embolism and pinpointing its location, which is crucial for guiding treatment. Arterial blood gas analysis only measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and does not show where a blockage is. D-dimer can indicate that a clot may be present somewhere in the body but does not visualize or localize an occlusion. An EKG can reflect heart strain or other effects of a clot but it does not image the clot itself.

Visualizing a clot blocking blood flow in the pulmonary arteries is best achieved with CT pulmonary angiography. This test uses contrast-enhanced CT imaging to illuminate the pulmonary vessels; a clot shows up as a filling defect where the contrast should fill the artery, directly revealing the occluded segment. This direct visualization makes CT pulmonary angiography the imaging method of choice for confirming pulmonary embolism and pinpointing its location, which is crucial for guiding treatment.

Arterial blood gas analysis only measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and does not show where a blockage is. D-dimer can indicate that a clot may be present somewhere in the body but does not visualize or localize an occlusion. An EKG can reflect heart strain or other effects of a clot but it does not image the clot itself.