Researchers feel they have found an effective way to diagnose pulmonary embolisms before its too late, according to a study found in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
A pulmonary embolism is brought on when a blood clot somewhere in a persons body travels to their lungs. For those who are worried about the risk of blood clots, foods found in an alkaline diet such as bell peppers, blueberries and tomatoes can help prevent blood clots.
While some patients show symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing up blood, others do not experience any warning signs and can go undiagnosed, which has a 30 percent risk of mortality.
Researchers found that when a form of molecular imaging called single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is combined with a low-dose CT the result could make diagnosing easier for physicians, potentially saving patients lives.
The scientists are optimistic with this endeavor, hoping it will allow more patients to be treated.
“More accurate diagnosis, including both improved sensitivity and specificity, should result in better patient outcomes,” said researcher Dr. J. Anthony Parker.