For Health Care Professionals
The Research Center at SJMO
The PIOPED II Project
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland is the administrative site
for the prospective investigation of pulmonary embolism diagnosis II (PIOPED
II), which is a multicenter investigation funded by the National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute. SJMO works on PIOPED II in collaboration with the following
institutions:
- George Washington University
- Washington University
- University of Calgary
- Cornell University
- Duke University
- Emory University
- Henry Ford Hospital
- University of Michigan
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Harvard University
Beginning with patient recruitment in 2001, the main objective of PIOPED II has been to determine the efficacy of the spiral computed tomographic pulmonary angiogram (spiral CT) in patients suspected to have acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Approximately 600,000 Americans suffer from PE each year, and many of the cases are fatal. Because it is an underdiagnosed condition, many people are undertreated. Therefore, the potential significance of PIOPED II is to determine the extent to which this minimally invasive test can diagnose PE, thereby eliminating or reducing the need for angiography.
It is necessary to know the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values before determining the spiral CT role in diagnosing venous thromboembolism, because incorrect interpretation has serious implications. False positive results can lead to unnecessary or potentially harmful anticoagulant treatments, and these findings can even lead to death. If, however, the spiral CT is used appropriately in diagnosis, the need for pulmonary angiography can be eliminated, thereby preventing complications of that invasive diagnostic test.
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