PE CT studies have risen nearly 50% in recent years

COVID causes increase risk of clotting. Example of a pulmonary embolism. CT pulmonary angiograms in a 77-year-old man with COVID-19 and a saddle embolus to pulmonary arteries (black arrow in A) extending into right and left pulmonary arteries (white arrows) in (A, B) axial and (C) coronal planes. Arrowheads show pulmonary changes associated with COVID-19 and possible lung infarction (black arrow in C). (D) Axial image at the level of the ventricles shows right-sided heart strain. RSNA. COVID PE

COVID causes increase risk of clotting. Example of a pulmonary embolism. CT pulmonary angiograms in a 77-year-old man with COVID-19 and a saddle embolus to pulmonary arteries (black arrow in A) extending into right and left pulmonary arteries (white arrows) in (A, B) axial and (C) coronal planes. Arrowheads show pulmonary changes associated with COVID-19 and possible lung infarction (black arrow in C). (D) Axial image at the level of the ventricles shows right-sided heart strain with interventricular septal flattening (*). Ao = aorta, LV = left ventricle, PA = pulmonary artery, RV = right ventricle. Image courtesy of RSNA. Read more.

The diagnostic yield of the exam, however, has remained largely unchanged, prompting experts to question whether CT pulmonary angiography is being overused in the ED.