Link to a pdf handout: here
Description of Procedure:
Your doctors have ordered a test called a CT pulmonary angiogram or CTPA to see if you have a pulmonary embolus. A pulmonary embolus is a blood clot in a blood vessel in the lungs. The test includes a CT scan of your chest and the injection of x-ray dye (contrast) into your blood.
You will need to hold your breath for a very short time and to lie on the table while the scan is done. The test does expose you to some radiation. Because of this, your abdomen and breasts will be covered by a lead sheet to reduce the radiation exposure to you and your baby.
Radiation exposure to the fetus during the procedure:
- The effects of radiation on an unborn baby (fetus) have been associated with birth defects, growth retardation, and abnormal brain development. However, these complications usually occur with radiation doses much higher than those used for this test.
- There is also a small risk to your baby for the development of cancer later in life related to radiation exposure. These cases are rare. The dose of radiation your baby will receive is about the same as having from 1 to 10 chest x-rays.
- The fetus may also absorb small amounts of iodine from the x-ray dye. Iodine can have an effect on the baby's thyroid function. Like all newborn babies, it is important that your baby is tested during the first week of life for abnormal thyroid function. Make sure that your baby gets this test.
Risks of not having the CT Scan Test:
This study will help your doctor find out if you have a blood clot in your lungs. This is a potentially life threatening condition. Your doctors have asked you to have this test because they feel the benefits of diagnosing this condition are greater than the risks (explained above) to you and your baby from the radiation and x-ray dye. We feel this is the safest and most effective test for this potentially life-threatening condition.
Alternatives:
Another possible test for this condition is a VQ scan. However, that test uses an injection of a radioactive substance and exposes the fetus to a higher radiation dose.