scholarly journals P039: Utilization of serum D-dimer assays and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) scans in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism among emergency department (ED) physicians

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S78-S78
Author(s):  
L. Salehi ◽  
P. Phalpher ◽  
H. Yu ◽  
M. Ossip ◽  
R. Valani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Decision Rules ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Urgent Care ◽  
Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
D Dimer ◽  
Rule Out

Introduction: As the availability of Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) to rule out pulmonary embolism (PE) increases, so too does its utilization, and consequent overutilization. A variety of evidence-based algorithms and decision rules using clinical criteria and D-Dimer testing have been proposed as instruments to allow physicians to safely rule out a PE in low-risk patients. However, studies have shown mixed results with respect to both physician uptake of these decision rules and their impact on improving ordering practices among physicians. The objective of this study is to describe the prevalence of D-Dimer utilization among ED physicians and its impact on positive yield rates of CTPAs in a community setting. Methods: Data was collected on all CTPA studies ordered by ED physicians at two very high-volume community hospitals and an affiliated urgent care centre during the 2-year period between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017. For each CTPA, we determined if 1) a D-Dimer had been ordered prior to CTPA, if 2) the D-Dimer was positive, and if 3) the CTPA was positive for a PE. Using a chi-square test, we compared the diagnostic yield for those patients who had a D-Dimer prior to their CTPA and those who did not. Results: A total of 2,811 CTPAs were included in the analysis. Of these, 964 CTPAs (34.3%) were ordered without a D-Dimer. Of those 1,847 patients who underwent D-Dimer testing prior to the CTPA, 343 (18.7%) underwent a CTPA despite a negative D-Dimer. When compared as a group, those CTPAs preceded by a D-Dimer showed no significant difference in positive yields when compared to those CTPAs ordered without a prior D-Dimer (9.9% versus 11.3%, p = 0.26). Conclusion: The findings of this study present a complicated picture of the impact of D-Dimer utilization on CTPA ordering patterns. There is evidence of suboptimal uptake of routine D-Dimer ordering, and adherence to guidelines in terms of forgoing CTPAs in low-risk patients with negative D-Dimers. While this study design leaves unanswered the question of how many CTPAs were avoided as a result of a negative D-Dimer, the finding of a similar positive yield among those patients who had a D-Dimer ordered versus those who did not is interesting, and illustrative of the issues arising from the high false-positive rates associated with D-Dimer screening.

scholarly journals Age-Adjusted D-Dimer in the Prediction of Pulmonary Embolism: Does a Normal Age-Adjusted D-Dimer Rule Out PE?

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Ortiz ◽  
Rabia Saeed ◽  
Christopher Little ◽  
Saul Schaefer
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Decision Rules ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Clinical Decision Rules ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
D Dimer ◽  
Rule Out

Risk assessment for pulmonary embolism (PE) currently relies on physician judgment, clinical decision rules (CDR), and D-dimer testing. There is still controversy regarding the role of D-dimer testing in low or intermediate risk patients. The objective of the study was to define the role of clinical decision rules and D-dimer testing in patients suspected of having a PE. Records of 894 patients referred for computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) at a University medical center were analyzed. The clinical decision rules overall had an ROC of approximately 0.70, while signs of DVT had the highest ROC (0.80). A low probability CDR coupled with a negative age-adjusted D-dimer largely excluded PE. The negative predictive value (NPV) of an intermediate CDR was 86–89%, while the addition of a negative D-dimer resulted in NPVs of 94%. Thus, in patients suspected of having a PE, a low or intermediate CDR does not exclude PE; however, in patients with an intermediate CDR, a normal age-adjusted D-dimer increases the NPV.

scholarly journals CORRELATION OF D-DIMER LEVEL WITH THE PRESENCE AND SEVERITY OF PULMONARY EMBOLISM ON COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY PULMONARY ANGIOGRAPHY

2020 ◽  
pp. 33-34
Author(s):  
Mantavya Patel ◽  
Sanjay Paliwal ◽  
Rachit Saxena
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Clinical Suspicion ◽  
Early Prediction ◽  
Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Negative Prediction ◽  
D Dimer

Introduction: Early diagnosis of pulmonary embolism can reduce morbidity and motility. D-dimer is well known parameter having high negative prediction value. This study focused on role of D-dimer in early prediction of presence and severity of pulmonary embolism. Material and Methods: Thirty patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism along with high D-dimer value were included in this study. All selected patients underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography assessment. D-dimer value was correlated with presence and proximity of pulmonary embolism. Results: Out of thirty selected patients 50% had pulmonary embolism on computed tomography pulmonary angiography assessment. D-dimer value correlated well with presence and proximity of pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: D-dimer value more than 4000 ng/ml had high positive prediction value (79%) in suspected clinical cases. Value more than 8000 ng/ml further improve value to nearly 100% in suspected cases.

Is a normal computed tomography pulmonary angiography safe to rule out acute pulmonary embolism in patients with a likely clinical probability?

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (08) ◽  
pp. 1622-1629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom van der Hulle ◽  
Nick van Es ◽  
Paul den Exter ◽  
Josien van Es ◽  
Inge Mos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Acute Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Clinical Probability ◽  
Pulmonary Angiogram ◽  
Wells Rule ◽  
Rule Out

SummaryA normal computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) remains a controversial criterion for ruling out acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with a likely clinical probability. We set out to determine the risk of VTE and fatal PE after a normal CTPA in this patient category and compare these risk to those after a normal pulmonary angiogram of 1.7% (95%CI 1.0–2.7%) and 0.3% (95%CI 0.02–0.7%). A patient-level meta-analysis from 4 prospective diagnostic management studies that sequentially applied the Wells rule, D-dimer tests and CTPA to consecutive patients with clinically suspected acute PE. The primary outcome was the 3-month VTE incidence after a normal CTPA. A total of 6,148 patients were included with an overall PE prevalence of 24%. The 3-month VTE incidence in all 4,421 patients in whom PE was excluded at baseline was 1.2% (95%CI 0.48–2.6) and the risk of fatal PE was 0.11% (95%CI 0.02–0.70). In patients with a likely clinical probability the 3-month incidences of VTE and fatal PE were 2.0% (95%CI 1.0–4.1%) and 0.48% (95%CI 0.20–1.1%) after a normal CTPA. The 3-month incidence of VTE was 6.3% (95%CI 3.0–12) in patients with a Wells rule >6 points. In conclusion, this study suggests that a normal CTPA may be considered as a valid diagnostic criterion to rule out PE in the majority of patients with a likely clinical probability, although the risk of VTE is higher in subgroups such as patients with a Wells rule >6 points for which a closer follow-up should be considered.Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.

Pulmonary Embolism Rule-out Criteria vs D-dimer testing in low-risk patients for pulmonary embolism: a retrospective study

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 609-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bokobza ◽  
A. Aubry ◽  
N. Nakle ◽  
C. Vincent-Cassy ◽  
D. Pateron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
D Dimer ◽  
Rule Out

scholarly journals COMPARISON OF 128-SLICE SPIRAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY PULMONARY ANGIOGRAPHY (CTPA) FINDINGS WITH PLASMA D-DIMER LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH CLINICAL SUSPICION OF PULMONARY EMBOLISM

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 1962-66
Author(s):  
Uzma Nisar ◽  
Hina Nasir ◽  
Atiq Ur Rehman Slehria ◽  
Abdur Rahim Rahim Palwa ◽  
Rashid Hussain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Clinical Suspicion ◽  
Spiral Computed Tomography ◽  
Military Hospital ◽  
Spiral Computed ◽  
Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
D Dimer

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of plasma D-dimer levels with findings of 128-slice spiral computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism. Study Design: Retrospective observational study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Computed Tomography, Armed Forces Institute of Radiology & Imaging, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Jan 2018 to Dec 2018. Methodology: A total of 59 patients were inducted who presented in Emergency Department, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi with clinical suspicion of Pulmonary Embolism. The main symptoms were shortness of breath and chest pain. Plasma D-dimer levels of all patients were sent to laboratory and CTPA was performed at Computed Tomography department, Armed Forces Institute of Radiology & Imaging using 128-slice spiral computed tomography. Results: 36 patients (61%) were males and 23 (39%) were females with an average age of 48.03 ± 18.06 years (range 23-85 years). Out of 59 patients, D-dimer levels were raised in 28 cases (47.4%) while 31 patients (52.6%) showed normal levels. Pulmonary Embolism was detected by CTPA in 30 cases (50.8%) while 29 patients (49.2%) were without obvious abnormality. Conclusion: Plasma D-Dimer levels show low sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value and cannot exclude Pulmonary Embolism without CTPA. Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) remains diagnostic modality of choice for definitive assessment of Pulmonary Embolism in patients reporting at the emergency reception.

Computed tomography pulmonary angiography as a single imaging test to rule out pulmonary embolism

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 380-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederikus A. Klok ◽  
Inge C.M. Mos ◽  
Lucia J.M. Kroft ◽  
Albert de Roos ◽  
Menno V. Huisman
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Imaging Test ◽  
Rule Out

scholarly journals Utilization of serum D-dimer assays prior to computed tomography pulmonary angiography scans in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism among emergency department physicians: a retrospective observational study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Salehi ◽  
Prashant Phalpher ◽  
Hubert Yu ◽  
Jeffrey Jaskolka ◽  
Marc Ossip ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Diagnostic Yield ◽  
Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Utilization Rate ◽  
Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography ◽  
Individual Physician ◽  
The Impact ◽  
D Dimer

Abstract Background A variety of evidence-based algorithms and decision rules using D-Dimer testing have been proposed as instruments to allow physicians to safely rule out a pulmonary embolism (PE) in low-risk patients. Objective To describe the prevalence of D-Dimer utilization among emergency department (ED) physicians and its impact on positive yields and utilization rates of Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA). Methods Data was collected on all CTPA studies ordered by ED physicians at three sites during a 2-year period. Using a chi-square test, we compared the diagnostic yield for those patients who had a D-Dimer prior to their CTPA and those who did not. Secondary analysis was done to examine the impact of D-Dimer testing prior to CTPA on individual physician diagnostic yield or utilization rate. Results A total of 2811 CTPAs were included in the analysis. Of these, 964 CTPAs (34.3%) were ordered without a D-Dimer, and 343 (18.7%) underwent a CTPA despite a negative D-Dimer. Those CTPAs preceded by a D-Dimer showed no significant difference in positive yields when compared to those ordered without a D-Dimer (9.9% versus 11.3%, p = 0.26). At the individual physician level, no statistically significant relationship was found between D-Dimer utilization and CTPA utilization rate or diagnostic yield. Conclusion This study provides evidence of suboptimal adherence to guidelines in terms of D-Dimer screening prior to CTPA, and forgoing CTPAs in patients with negative D-Dimers. However, the lack of a positive impact of D-Dimer testing on either CTPA diagnostic yield or utilization rate is indicative of issues relating to the high false-positive rates associated with D-Dimer screening.

Evidence for Age-Adjusted D-Dimer to Rule out Pulmonary Embolism: An Institutional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 154 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S5-S5
Author(s):  
Ridin Balakrishnan ◽  
Daniel Casa ◽  
Morayma Reyes Gil
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
False Positive ◽  
False Positive Rate ◽  
Moderate Risk ◽  
Older Population ◽  
Statistical Measures ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
D Dimer ◽  
Rule Out

Abstract The diagnostic approach for ruling out suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in the ED setting includes several tests: ultrasound, plasma d-dimer assays, ventilation-perfusion scans and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Importantly, a pretest probability scoring algorithm is highly recommended to triage high risk cases while also preventing unnecessary testing and harm to low/moderate risk patients. The d-dimer assay (both ELISA and immunoturbidometric) has been shown to be extremely sensitive to rule out PE in conjunction with clinical probability. In particularly, d-dimer testing is recommended for low/moderate risk patients, in whom a negative d-dimer essentially rules out PE sparing these patients from CTPA radiation exposure, longer hospital stay and anticoagulation. However, an unspecific increase in fibrin-degradation related products has been seen with increase in age, resulting in higher false positive rate in the older population. This study analyzed patient visits to the ED of a large academic institution for five years and looked at the relationship between d-dimer values, age and CTPA results to better understand the value of age-adjusted d-dimer cut-offs in ruling out PE in the older population. A total of 7660 ED visits had a CTPA done to rule out PE; out of which 1875 cases had a d-dimer done in conjunction with the CT and 5875 had only CTPA done. Out of the 1875 cases, 1591 had positive d-dimer results (>0.50 µg/ml (FEU)), of which 910 (57%) were from patients older than or equal to fifty years of age. In these older patients, 779 (86%) had a negative CT result. The following were the statistical measures of the d-dimer test before adjusting for age: sensitivity (98%), specificity (12%); negative predictive value (98%) and false positive rate (88%). After adjusting for age in people older than 50 years (d-dimer cut off = age/100), 138 patients eventually turned out to be d-dimer negative and every case but four had a CT result that was also negative for a PE. The four cases included two non-diagnostic results and two with subacute/chronic/subsegmental PE on imaging. None of these four patients were prescribed anticoagulation. The statistical measures of the d-dimer test after adjusting for age showed: sensitivity (96%), specificity (20%); negative predictive value (98%) and a decrease in the false positive rate (80%). Therefore, imaging could have been potentially avoided in 138/779 (18%) of the patients who were part of this older population and had eventual negative or not clinically significant findings on CTPA if age-adjusted d-dimers were used. This data very strongly advocates for the clinical usefulness of an age-adjusted cut-off of d-dimer to rule out PE.

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