Rational Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism (RADIAPE) in Symptomatic Outpatients with Suspected PE: An Improved Strategy to Exclude or Diagnose Venous Thromboembolism by the Sequential Use of a Clinical Model, Rapid ELISA D-Dimer Test, Perfusion Lung Scan, Ultrasonography, Spiral CT, and Pulmonary Angiography

1998 ◽  
Vol 24 (04) ◽  
pp. 413-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Michiels
1992 ◽  
Vol 67 (04) ◽  
pp. 408-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Demers ◽  
Jeffrey S Ginsberg ◽  
Marilyn Johnston ◽  
Patrick Brill-Edwards ◽  
Akbar Panju

SummaryOne hundred and fifty-six consecutive patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) had blood drawn to measure levels of D-dimer and thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complexes and underwent ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) lung scanning and bilateral impedance plethysmography (IPG); pulmonary angiography was performed in 10 patients. Patients were classified as: PE-positive (positive pulmonary angiography or high probability lung scan or non-high probability lung scan and abnormal IPG) or, PE-negative (normal lung scan or normal pulmonary angiography) or PE-unlikely (non-high probability lung scan and normal serial IPG and absence of venous thromboembolism in follow-up). Thirty patients were classified as PE-positive, 64 as PE-negative and 62 patients as PE-unlikely. PE-positive patients were treated with anticoagulants, whereas PE-negative and PE-unlikely patients were not. PE-unlikely patients were followed for 3 months with repeat IPG and clinical evaluation for the occurrence of venous thromboembolism. The sensitivities, specificities, positive predictive values and negative predictive values of the D-dimer and TAT complex assays were calculated for patients classified as PE-positive and PE-negative. In addition, the prevalences of normal D-dimer and TAT complex assays were calculated for PE-unlikely patients.Cutoffs of 300 ng/ml for D-dimer and 3.5 μg/ml for TAT complexes provided sensitivities of 96% for both assays, negative predictive values of 97% for D-dimer and 96% for TAT complexes and specificities of 52% for D-dimer and 51% for TAT complexes. The specificities of the assays were higher in patients without comorbid conditions and in outpatients. Among PE-unlikely patients, 14 had normal D-dimer levels and 5 had normal levels of TAT complexes. None of these patients developed venous thromboembolism in follow-up.Our study indicates that: 1) PE is highly unlikely in patients who have D-dimer levels of less than 300 ng/ml and/or levels of TAT complexes below 3.5 μg/ml, and 2), because of their relatively low positive predictive values, further investigation is required if levels of D-dimer and/or TAT complexes are above these cutoffs. These results should be confirmed in future clinical management trials.


Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harish Patel ◽  
Haozhe Sun ◽  
Ali N. Hussain ◽  
Trupti Vakde

The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) is increasing. The increase in suspicion for VTE has lowered the threshold for performing imaging studies to confirm diagnosis of VTE. However, only 20% of suspected cases have a confirmed diagnosis of VTE. Development of pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria (PERC) and update in pre-test probability have changed the paradigm of ruling-out patient with low index of suspicion. The D-dimer test in conjunction to the pre-test probability has been utilized in VTE diagnosis. The age appropriate D-dimer cutoff and inclusion of YEARS algorithm (signs of the DVT, hemoptysis and whether PE is the likely diagnosis) for the D-dimer cutoff have been recent updates in the evaluation of suspected PE. Multi-detector computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and compression ultrasound (CUS) are the preferred imaging modality to diagnose PE and DVT respectively. The VTE diagnostic algorithm do differ in pregnant individuals. The prerequisite of avoiding excessive radiation has recruited planar ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan as preferred in pregnant patients to evaluate for PE. The modification of CUS protocol with addition of the Valsalva maneuver should be performed while evaluating DVT in pregnant individual.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul D. Stein ◽  
Fadi Matta ◽  
Kate E. Hughes ◽  
Mary J. Hughes

The purpose was to determine whether young women in the emergency department who received computed tomographic (CT) pulmonary angiograms were evaluated to receive lower dose imaging or no imaging, recognizing that the risks of radiation are particularly high in young women. This was a retrospective cohort investigation of women aged 18 to 29 years seen for suspected acute pulmonary embolism in emergency departments of 5 regional hospitals from May 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016. Computed tomographic (CT) pulmonary angiograms were obtained in 379 young women. Pulmonary embolism was diagnosed by CT angiography in 2.1%. A Wells probability score could be calculated in 11.9%. D-dimer was obtained in 46.2% and a chest radiograph was obtained in 41.7%. Among patients with a normal chest radiograph, 3.9% had a lung scan. Venous ultrasound of the lower extremities was obtained in 1.8%. Each had an elevated D-dimer. Among the young women who received CT angiograms, 53 were pregnant. In 17.0% of pregnant women, a Wells clinical probability score could be calculated from the medical record. D-dimer in pregnant women was obtained in 30.2%, chest radiograph in 22.6%, lung scan in 11.3%, and venous ultrasound of the lower extremities in none. In conclusion, young women and pregnant women often received CT pulmonary angiograms for suspected acute pulmonary embolism without an objective clinical assessment, measurement of D-dimer, lung scintiscan, or venous ultrasound, which may have eliminated the need for CT pulmonary angiography in many instances.


2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 1015-1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Riva ◽  
Kevin Vella ◽  
Kieron Hickey ◽  
Lorenza Bertù ◽  
Daniel Zammit ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe diagnostic algorithm for venous thromboembolism (VTE) currently involves a composite of pre-test probability, D-dimer and imaging. Other laboratory tests, however, may assist in the identification of patients with VTE.AimTo assess the accuracy of different coagulation tests (D-dimer, thrombin generation, phospholipid-dependent (PPL) clotting time, soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin)) as biomarkers of acute VTE.MethodsRandom samples arriving at the Coagulation Laboratory at Mater Dei Hospital (Msida, Malta) from the Accident and Emergency Department with a request for D-dimer measurement were collected between August 2015 and February 2016. The following tests were performed: Innovance D-dimer (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics), HemosIL D-dimer HS (Instrumentation Laboratory), thrombin generation (using the calibrated automated thrombogram), STA Procoag PPL (Diagnostica Stago) and sP-selectin (Affymetrix; eBioscience). VTE was objectively confirmed by compression ultrasonography, CT pulmonary angiography or ventilation/perfusion lung scan.Results100 samples were collected (33 with VTE). A strong positive linear correlation was found between the two D-dimer tests (r=0.97, p<0.001). Patients with VTE showed significantly higher sP-selectin concentrations compared with patients without VTE (75.7 ng/mL vs 53.0 ng/mL, p<0.001). In the random forest plot, the two D-dimer assays showed the highest variable importance, followed by sP-selectin. A sP-selectin cut-off of 74.8 ng/mL was associated with 72.7% sensitivity and 78.2% specificity for acute VTE in our cohort.ConclusionOur results confirmed D-dimer as the main biomarker of VTE and speculated a role for sP-selectin. The impact of thrombin generation was limited and no role emerged for the PPL clotting time. These observations need to be confirmed in large management studies.


1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (12) ◽  
pp. 1588-1592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marinus van Marwijk Kooy ◽  
Jos Pouwels ◽  
Anneke Engelage ◽  
Bart Kuipers ◽  
Harry Büller ◽  
...  

Summary Background. D-dimer assays have a potential to rule out pulmonary embolism in case of a normal test result. We studied the clinical utility of incorporating the SimpliRED D-dimer test result and clinical probability in the routine diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism. Methods. In a prospective management study 245 consecutive patients, hospitalised as well as outpatients, were included. A SimpliRED D-dimer test and perfusion/(ventilation) scintigraphy were obtained in all patients, whereas clinical probability was determined in the subgroup of patients with a non-diagnostic scan and normal D-dimer result. A diagnostic algorithm determined the necessity for further testing and decisions about treatment. All patients were followed up for 3 months. Results. In 54 patients (22%) with a normal lung scan and 50 patients (21%) with a high probability lung scan, antithrombotic therapy was withheld or started respectively, irrespective of the D-dimer result. A non-diagnostic lung scan was found in 137 (56%) patients, of whom 70 patients had an abnormal D-dimer test, in whom further testing was ordered. Of the remaining 67 patients with a non-diagnostic lung scan and normal D-dimer test 8 patients had a high clinical probability, and the subsequent ultrasonography and pulmonary angiography yielded pulmonary emboli in 1 patient. In the remaining 66 patients, pulmonary embolism was considered to be absent and antithrombotic treatment was stopped/withheld. During follow-up of these patients only one patient experienced a possible venous thromboembolic event (failure rate 1,5% ; 95% CI 0-8%). The SimpliRED D-dimer was normal in 6 of 61 patients with proven pulmonary embolism (sensitivity 90% ; 95% CI 80-96%). Conclusion. Our findings suggest that it is safe to withhold anticoagulant therapy in those patients with a non-diagnostic lung scan, a normal SimpliRED D-dimer test result, and without a high clinical probability. This results in a substantial decreased need for ultrasonography and pulmonary angiography. The SimpliRED should not be used in isolation to exclude pulmonary embolism.


1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (02) ◽  
pp. 221-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henri Bounameaux ◽  
Arnaud Perrier ◽  
Philippe Moerloose ◽  
Guido Reber

SummaryMany studies have shown that D-dimer determinations can be used for the exclusion of venous thromboembolism in symptomatic outpatients, depending however on the method of D-dimer measurement. Another related assay, the Fibrin Monomer test which measures soluble fibrin levels in plasma by ELISA, is now available.We have evaluated the performances of this assay for the exclusion of pulmonary embolism (PE) in 426 consecutive outpatients presenting at the emergency ward of our institution. Diagnosis of PE was made by D-dimer measurement, compression ultrasonography, lung scintigraphy, venography and pulmonary angiography. With a cut-off of 3 μg/ml, the sensitivity and the negative predictive value were both 100% (95% CI: 97.1-100 and 96.3-100 respectively) and the specificity 33% (95% CI: 25.7-38.1). With 4 μg/ml, the corresponding figures were 98.4 (95% CI: 94.4-99.8), 98.3 (95% CI: 94.1-99.8) and 39% (95% CI: 33.6-44.7) respectively. The prevalence of PE was 30%, the exclusion rates were 23 and 27% for either cut-off. When compared with a reference D-dimer assay (Asserachrom D-Di), a good correlation was observed. In conclusion, this is the first study suggesting the interest of this Fibrin Monomer test to rule out PE; these results, however, need to be confirmed by other studies.


Author(s):  
Shubhi Saxena ◽  
Nishant Saxena ◽  
Richa Jain ◽  
Jasmin Jasani

Introduction: Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) encompasses a wide spectrum consisting predominantly of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The value of Fibrin Degradation Product (FDP) of which, most common is D-dimer which is most commonly deployed to pre-diagnose venous thrombosis. Diagnosing it has always been a hard effort. It is produced when cross-linked fibrin is broken down; among patient who is suspected of having pulmonary embolism, blood D-dimer levels correlate with the probability of having pulmonary embolism. Aim: This study was done to analyse the sensitivity of plasma D-dimer for VTE. Materials and Methods: Retrospective case study of 76 patients with VTE in form of pulmonary embolism done at the Dhiraj Hospital, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Vadodara from January 2019 to January 2020 for a period of one year. Prethrombolytic plasma was withdrawn and D-dimer quantification were measured using fully automatic stago coagulometer instruement (STA Compact Max). Sensitivity, Specificity, Negative Predictive Value (NPV) and Positive Predictive Value (PPV) was calculated and formulated in tables and graphs. Results: The sensitivity, NPV, specificity and PPV of the D-dimer was 95.65%, 76.92%, 66.66% and 92.95%, respectively. CT pulmonary angiography had a specificity of 80%, sensitivity of 92.75%, a NPV of 70.58% and a PPV of 95.52%. Conclusion: D-dimer is mostly the go to test for ruling out VTE especially pulmonary embolism, if the pre-test probability is intermediate. Rationale use of this test does help in prognostification and helps to achieve therapeutics faster and more effectively.


1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (03) ◽  
pp. 408-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin J R van Beek ◽  
Bram van den Ende ◽  
René J Berckmans ◽  
Yvonne T van der Heide ◽  
Dees P M Brandjes ◽  
...  

SummaryTo avoid angiography in patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism and non-diagnostic lung scan results, the use of D-dimer has been advocated. We assessed plasma samples of 151 consecutive patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism. Lung scan results were: normal (43), high probability (48) and non-diagnostic (60; angiography performed in 43; 12 pulmonary emboli). Reproducibility, cut-off values, specificity, and percentage of patients in whom angiography could be avoided (with sensitivity 100%) were determined for two latex and four ELISA assays.The latex methods (cut-off 500 μg/1) agreed with corresponding ELISA tests in 83% (15% normal latex, abnormal ELISA) and 81% (7% normal latex, abnormal ELISA). ELISA methods showed considerable within- (2–17%) and between-assay Variation (12–26%). Cut-off values were 25 μg/l (Behring), 50 μg/l (Agen), 300 μg/l (Stago) and 550 μg/l (Organon). Specificity was 14–38%; in 4–15% of patients angiography could be avoided.We conclude that latex D-dimer assays appear not useful, whereas ELISA methods may be of limited value in the exclusion of pulmonary embolism.


Author(s):  
Aya Yassin ◽  
Maryam Ali Abdelkader ◽  
Rehab M. Mohammed ◽  
Ahmed M. Osman

Abstract Background Pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the known sequels of COVID-19 infection. We aimed to assess the incidence of PE in patients with COVID-19 infection and to evaluate the relationship between the CT severity of the disease and the laboratory indicators. This was a retrospective study conducted on 96 patients with COVID-19 infection proved by positive PCR who underwent CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) with a calculation of the CT severity of COVID-19 infection. Available patients’ complaint and laboratory data at the time of CTPA were correlated with PE presence and disease severity. Results Forty patients (41.7%) showed positive PE with the median time for the incidence of PE which was 12 days after onset of the disease. No significant correlation was found between the incidence of PE and the patients’ age, sex, laboratory results, and the CT severity of COVID-19. A statistically significant relation was found between the incidence of PE and the patients’ desaturation, hemoptysis, and chest pain. A highly significant correlation was found between the incidence of PE and the rising in the D-dimer level as well as the progressive CT findings when compared to the previous one. Conclusion CT progression and the rising in D-dimer level are considered the most important parameters suggesting underlying PE in patients with positive COVID-19 infection which is commonly seen during the second week of infection and alert the use of CT pulmonary angiography to exclude or confirm PE. This is may help in improving the management of COVID-19 infection.


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