Question

A 58-year-old man presents with pleuritic chest pain, haemoptysis and shortness of breath. He recently had hip surgery. Well’s score is high for pulmonary embolism. What is the most appropriate initial investigation?

Accepted Answer

CT pulmonary angiography

Answer

D-dimer test only

Answer

Chest X-ray only

Answer

Ventilation–perfusion scan in all patients

Answer

No imaging; start lifelong anticoagulation based on clinical score alone

Practice question

A 58-year-old man presents with pleuritic chest pain, haemoptysis and shortness of breath. He recently had hip surgery. Well’s score is high for pulmonary embolism. What is the most appropriate initial investigation?