Material and Method: In 81 consecutive patients with proved APE, two readers assessed the extent of RVD, the shape of the interventricular septum, and the extent of obstruction to the pulmonary artery on CTPA images. The readers were blinded for clinical outcome in consensus reading.

Results: During follow-up, 20 patients died (25%). CT signs of RVD (RV/LV ratio > 1.0) were seen in 47 patients (58%). The RV/LV ratio, the shape of interventricular septum, and the obstruction index were shown to be significant risk factors for mortality (p < 0.001, p = 0.04, p < 0.001, respectively). The negative predictive value for mortality with an RV/LV ratio ≤ 1.0 and the obstruction index of < 40% were 100%.

Conclusion: CTPA quantification of RVD and pulmonary vascular obstruction index are potential useful tools to predict mortality in patients with APE.

Keywords: Acute pulmonary embolism, CTPA, Right ventricular dysfunction, Pulmonary obstruction index