What condition might necessitate a chest CT in a woman presenting with respiratory distress?

A chest CT is particularly useful in evaluating suspected pulmonary embolism because it is a highly sensitive and specific imaging modality for identifying blood clots in the pulmonary arteries. In a patient presenting with respiratory distress, the need to quickly rule out or confirm pulmonary embolism is critical, as this condition can be life-threatening and requires prompt treatment. The use of a chest CT angiography can visualize the vessels and provide immediate information about the presence of emboli.

While myocardial infarction and family history of lung disease are important considerations in a patient with respiratory symptoms, they do not typically warrant a chest CT as the initial imaging choice. Myocardial infarction often requires an ECG and cardiac biomarkers for diagnosis, and family history alone lacks the urgency that would necessitate a chest CT. Cystic fibrosis is a chronic condition that might lead to respiratory distress, but it is usually diagnosed through clinical presentation and specific tests over time rather than acute imaging.