Suspected blood clot - VQ scan or CT scan

[Clotworry]

I’m 19 weeks pregnant and had a blood test and ECG last night both of which are pointing to a pulmonary embolism. The doctor said I would need a VQ scan and went away to speak to the scan department. She came back and said they are trying to move away from VQ scans and opt for CT scans. Is there anyone who can give me some advice? Has anyone had a chest CT scan in pregnancy? I’m so worried about the risk to me and my baby

CTPA scans are actually thought to be safer in pregnancy than a VQ scan. There's a slight increase in lifetime risk to you of breast cancer/lung cancer risk being slightly raised. But if they suspect a PE you need one.

Though they the blood test is meaningless. D-dimers will nearly always be positive in pregnancy.

Thank you @QuebecBagnet. The doctor did say that about the blood test and was actually going to discount it. She took it more seriously when my ECG came back with a S1Q3QT rhythm. I asked if I could have the blood thinners anyway without doing the scan but they’re not happy to do that. It looks like the risk is very small to the baby but it’s when she mentioned (like you said) the higher risk of breast cancer that it worried me.