Aviram et al graded the reflux of contrast material into the inferior vena cava (IVC) during CT pulmonary angiography performed for acute pulmonary embolism. The authors are from Tel Aviv University in Israel.
Patient selection: acute pulmonary embolism (PE)
Imaging study: CT pulmonary angiography with contrast
Contrast Reflux into Inferior Vena Cava
Grade
no reflux into IVC
1
trace into IVC
2
into IVC but not into hepatic veins
3
into proximal hepatic veins
4
into hepatic veins to the mid-liver
5
opacification of distal hepatic veins
6
A patient with a pulmonary embolism and contrast reflux >= Grade 4 tends to have a significant mortality.
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