CINA-iPE AI Detection of Incidental Pulmonary Embolism on Contrast-Enhanced CT
A chest, abdominal, or chest-abdomen-pelvis (CAP) CT is ordered for oncology staging or another clinical indication that includes the lung region. Pulmonary embolism was not suspected. Symptoms are absent, or masked by the primary condition. CINA-iPE analyzes every qualifying scan automatically and flags incidental clots, enabling early treatment and preventing the patient from going home with an undetected PE, only to return later as an emergency.
The Finding Nobody Was Looking For.
These patients are already dealing with something serious. The scan was ordered for that. PE was not on the differential, and in many cases nothing points to it.
Oncology patients
Incidental PE is found in approximately 3.6% of oncologic CT scans. The scan is acquired for staging, not for the pulmonary arteries, and contrast opacification in those vessels is low. Cancer patients face elevated PE risk from both malignancy and treatment, and any symptoms are easily attributed to the primary diagnosis. PE is not the question of the day. CINA-iPE flags it automatically.
Post-surgical and trauma
Post-surgical and trauma patients are already symptomatic for other reasons. Signs that might raise PE suspicion in another context go unremarked here. A secondary finding on a scan focused on something else can be overlooked entirely, or reported late enough that the clinical window has closed.
An overlooked PE is a future emergency. Without detection at the time of the scan, the patient is discharged, the PE progresses, and they return hours, weeks, or months later, sometimes as an emergency. CINA-iPE flags the finding before the patient leaves.
Incidental Pulmonary Embolism Detection
Triage and notification tool for contrast-enhanced CT scans acquired with non-arterial timing (non-CTPA protocol).
Source: FDA 510(k) standalone performance study (2024, initial version 1.0), slice thickness ≤ 2.5 mm.
Triage and notification tool for contrast-enhanced CT scans acquired with non-arterial timing (non-CTPA protocol).
Source: clinical evaluation report under the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR 2017/745, 2024, version 1.0.1), slice thickness ≤ 2.5 mm.
Detection Coverage
Backed by peer-reviewed studies
Peer-reviewed studies validating CINA-iPE performance.
Figures as reported by each study.
A Customer’s Perspective
“We are very pleased with the integration of CINA-iPE into our teleradiology workflow. This demonstrates the concrete value of artificial intelligence as a complementary tool to human expertise, including unexpected incidental findings that would otherwise have been overlooked.”
Your questions, answered
What is incidental pulmonary embolism, and why does it matter?
Incidental pulmonary embolism is PE discovered on a contrast-enhanced CT ordered for a different clinical reason, such as oncology staging, trauma, or post-surgical follow-up. The patient was not referred for a PE workup, and PE is not what the radiologist is looking for. It affects approximately 3.6% of oncologic CT scans. Untreated, it carries a risk of recurrence, hemodynamic deterioration, and emergency readmission. Identified at the time of the scan, it can be managed before the patient is discharged.
What is the difference between CINA-PE and CINA-iPE?
CINA-PE analyzes dedicated CT pulmonary angiography in symptomatic patients referred specifically for suspected PE, using a high-contrast pulmonary timing protocol. CINA-iPE analyzes contrast-enhanced CT scans acquired for entirely different reasons, such as oncology staging or trauma, where PE was not suspected. They are different tools, different algorithms, and different clinical workflows.
What is the risk of patient leakage with overlooked incidental PE?
When incidental PE is not detected at the time of the scan, the patient is discharged without management. In the Gustave Roussy study (Ammari et al., 2024), management was delayed for 15.6% of patients with a confirmed incidental PE, who had left the hospital after their scan, and some had to return through the emergency department. The patient re-enters care at a later stage, in a worse clinical state, and often at higher cost. Detection at the time of the original scan closes that gap before the patient leaves the facility.
- Instructions for Use are available.
- Manufacturer: Avicenna.AI (France).
- Medical device Class IIb following the European Regulation on Medical Device (EU) 2017/745.
- Medical device Class II following the Code of Federal Regulations of the United States of America 21CFR on Medical Devices.
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