What is the role of pulmonary angiography in evaluating dyspnea with suspected thromboembolism?

• A. Visualize pulmonary arteries for obstruction; assess branch occlusions and measure pulmonary pressures.
• B. Assess left ventricular function.
• C. Measure systemic arterial pressures only.
• D. Evaluate coronary arteries.

Answer: (A)

Pulmonary angiography is used here to directly visualize the pulmonary arterial tree and detect any obstruction from emboli, showing the location and extent of occlusion. In addition, it provides hemodynamic data by measuring pressures in the pulmonary artery, helping gauge the degree of pulmonary hypertension and right-heart strain caused by the embolic blockage. This combination confirms pulmonary embolism and guides treatment decisions. Other options target different areas: left ventricular function is assessed by other tests, systemic arterial pressures alone don’t address the embolic process, and evaluating the coronary arteries is done with coronary angiography.