Pulmonary Embolism Support Group

By far the most common form of pulmonary embolism is a thromboembolism, which occurs when a blood clot, generally a venous thrombus, becomes dislodged from its site of formation and embolizes to the arterial blood supply of one of the lungs. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, pain during breathing, and more rarely circulatory instability and death.

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Lungs & Respiration
/ Pulmonary Embolism Support Group

V/Q scan?

cjmenjou
cjmenjou
Coumadin lifer. INR normal if not a bit high due to antibiotics. Had some shortness of breath for the last few weeks, only a little concerned since I had the same SOB during my initial 6 month course and that month had a clear CT, and my INR was 3+ about the time the SOB started

But pulmonologist wants to run a V/Q scan. Doesn't think the SOB is necessarily clots, but this test will show lung functions.... I am surprised that I hadn't really heard of these before, and on research looks like it's a way to diagnose the presence of clots. I thought a CT was the only way to do that (one reason I put off going to the doctor, since I've had a few).

Anyone had one? What to expect?

Chris
deleted_user
deleted_user
I cannot comment on how a VQ scan works but I can tell you about my experience with them. Because I had many CT scans, my hematologist had me do further VQ scans to follow up my PE instead of exposing me to CT radiation A VQ requires you to lay on a flat bed, and stay still for a long time, with a machine very close and moving around you. You have to follow simple directions such as breathing in or out at specific times for the one part. The second part involves an injection and another long period of time laying still with a machine moving around you. I close my eyes and enjoy a nap on occasions like this... I hope you make out all right.
beecute
beecute
TwinMom gave a good description.

From what I understand, it's not great for your kidneys to have a lot of CT w/contrast scans. The VQ scan is another way of getting a picture of your lungs w/out the same risks. I had one when I had just had a CT w/contrast 3 weeks before and it was considered to soon to repeat that test.