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How are Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE) diagnosed?

Legs on the beach

Below you can find a short description of the most common tests performed in order to diagnose a blood clot: an ultrasound examination to detect blood clots in the leg/arm () and a CT scan to detect a blood clot in the lung ().

D-dimer test for Diagnosis

This blood test detects the by-products of a blood clot and helps doctors identify if someone has . It is possible for a D-dimer test to come back positive because it detects blood clot fragments from another injury, such as a cut or scrape. Therefore further tests are needed to fully verify a diagnosis.

Ultrasound for Diagnosis

Most of us know ultrasound from pregnancy examinations but they are often used for other purposes like diagnosing . This procedure is non-invasive - it may be used after a blood test has shown an elevated D-dimer or it may be used on its own for diagnostic purposes.

Watch the short animation below on how the procedure is performed.

                    

CT scan for diagnosis

A Computerised Tomography (CT) scan provides your doctors with a 2-dimensional image of your organs. This exam is performed in large scanners in the hospitals or at radiology centers.
Watch the short animation below on how the procedure is performed.

                         

MAT 50145 Last approved March 2022
 

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