American Thoracic Societv MEDICAL SECTION OF THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATiON The Diagnostic Approach to Acute Venous Thromboembolism

Introduction The Diagnostic Approach to Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis Background Symptoms and Signs Contrast Venography Impedance Plcthysmography Background Physiology and Techniyue Limitations of lmpedancc Plethysmography Early Clinical Trials: Establishing Accuracy in Symptomatic Acute Proximal DVT Management Studies: Early Success and Later Questions Impedance Plethysmography in Asymptomatic Patients Recurrent and Chronic Deep Venous Thrombosis Compression IJltrasound with Venous Imaging Background Technique Limitations of Compression Ultrasound with Venous Imaging Symptomatic Acute Proximal Deep Venous Thrombosis Asymptomatic Acute Proximal Deep Venous Thrombosis Acute Calf Deep Venous Thrombosis Recurrent and Chronic Deep Venous Thrombosis IJppcr Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis Magnetic Resonance Imaging The Diagnostic Approach to Acute Pulmonary Embolism Background Symptoms and Signs Electrocardiography Arterial Blood Gas Analysis Chest Radiography D-Dimer The VentilationPerfusion Scan The Effect of Prior Cardiopulmonary Disease The Perfusion Scan Alone The Nondiagnostic Ventilation-Perfusion Scan: Use of Lower Extremity Studies Pulmonary Angiography Spiral (Helical) Computed Tomography Magnetic Resonance Imaging Echocardiography The Diagnostic Approach to Acute Venous Thromboembolism: Final Summary and Recommendations The Diagnostic Approach to Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Final Summary and Recommendations The Future References