CT angiography findings of the left atrium and right ventricle in patients with massive pulmonary embolism.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to show the imaging findings of the left atrium and right ventricle on CT angiography in patients with massive pulmonary embolism. Massive pulmonary embolism can cause abrupt acute pulmonary arterial hypertension, right ventricular dysfunction, and decrease in left ventricular preload. Patients with these findings on CT angiography can have a poorer prognosis than those without these imaging findings. Consequently, recognizing anatomic changes such as right ventricular dilation or septal bowing, decrease in size of left atrium and pulmonary veins (a manifestation of decreased pulmonary venous return) would be useful for risk stratification at the time of massive pulmonary embolism.