[Angiographic studies of pulmonary embolic disease: indications and contraindications].

Pulmonary angiographic studies were performed on 100 patients with suspected pulmonary embolic disease. In the majority, the contrast medium was injected through a catheter located in the outflow tract of the right ventricle or the pulmonary trunk. Pulmonary embolic disease should be suspected in the presence of the following unexplained symptoms or signs: (1) dyspnea, (2) thoracic pain, (3) hemoptysis, (4) left ventricular failure, (5) global ventricular failure, and (6) pulmonary function deterioration. Pulmonary angiography is a simple, specific and objective method by which to diagnose thromboembolic disease of the lung. Acute myocardial infarction and terminal illness were the only contraindications to the procedure.