Ventilation-Perfusion Scan
Another diagnostic test for a pulmonary embolism is the ventilation-perfusion or V/Q scan. It is helpful when a contraindication to the IV contrast exists, such as a kidney issue or an allergy. During this procedure, your doctor will inject a radioactive element into the bloodstream. This substance will be transported to the blood in the lungs to make it easier to take a picture of the area. Based on the result, your doctor would detect some typical patterns that will indicate the size and location of the embolism. [3]
