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Purpose:

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The clinical diagnosis of PE can be quite challenging, necessitating a systematic, evidence-based, and cost-effective approach.

Materials and Methods:

A sensitive search strategy using keywords associated with PE diagnosis and economic evaluation was conducted. The libraries searched included MEDLINE, EMBASE, Health Technology Assessments, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, and the Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials. Studies were required to be a model-based cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) for PE diagnosis. To be included, studies had to have evaluated both the cost and effectiveness of diagnostic algorithms. In addition, computed tomography (CT) had to have been a component in at least 1 possible algorithm. The characteristics of each CEA were extracted. In addition, the characteristics of CT …