scholarly journals The impact of COVID‐19 on the sensitivity of D‐dimer for pulmonary embolism

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel J. Elberts ◽  
Ryan Bateman ◽  
Alexandra Koutsoubis ◽  
Kory S. London ◽  
Jennifer L. White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
The Impact ◽  
D Dimer

scholarly journals Validation and impact of a simplified clinical decision rule for diagnosing pulmonary embolism in primary care: design of the PECAN prospective diagnostic cohort management study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e031639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosanne van Maanen ◽  
Frans H Rutten ◽  
Frederikus A Klok ◽  
Menno V Huisman ◽  
Jeanet W Blom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Diagnostic Algorithm ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Diagnostic Study ◽  
The Impact ◽  
D Dimer

IntroductionCombined with patient history and physical examination, a negative D-dimer can safely rule-out pulmonary embolism (PE). However, the D-dimer test is frequently false positive, leading to many (with hindsight) ‘unneeded’ referrals to secondary care. Recently, the novel YEARS algorithm, incorporating flexible D-dimer thresholds depending on pretest risk, was developed and validated, showing its ability to safely exclude PE in the hospital environment. Importantly, this was accompanied with 14% fewer computed tomographic pulmonary angiography than the standard, fixed D-dimer threshold. Although promising, in primary care this algorithm has not been validated yet.Methods and analysisThe PECAN (DiagnosingPulmonaryEmbolism in the context ofCommonAlternative diagNoses in primary care) study is a prospective diagnostic study performed in Dutch primary care. Included patients with suspected acute PE will be managed by their general practitioner according to the YEARS diagnostic algorithm and followed up in primary care for 3 months to establish the final diagnosis. To study the impact of the use of the YEARS algorithm, the primary endpoints are the safety and efficiency of the YEARS algorithm in primary care. Safety is defined as the proportion of false-negative test results in those not referred. Efficiency denotes the proportion of patients classified in this non-referred category. Additionally, we quantify whether C reactive protein measurement has added diagnostic value to the YEARS algorithm, using multivariable logistic and polytomous regression modelling. Furthermore, we will investigate which factors contribute to the subjective YEARS item ‘PE most likely diagnosis’.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee Utrecht, the Netherlands. Patients eligible for inclusion will be asked for their consent. Results will be disseminated by publication in peer-reviewed journals and presented at (inter)national meetings and congresses.Trial registrationNTR 7431.

scholarly journals Symptom Duration Is Positively Correlated with Factor XIIIa Activity in Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 5047-5047
Author(s):  
Yevgeniy Brailovsky ◽  
Debra Hoppensteadt ◽  
Omer Iqbal ◽  
Kevin Simpson ◽  
Nathan Mcclane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Acute Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Factor Xiiia ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
The Impact ◽  
D Dimer

Abstract Background Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) patients are at variable risk of morbidity, mortality, and response to therapy. Patients often present at various time points from the symptom onset. Several factors may shed light into the state of endogenous thrombotic and fibrinolytic system at the time of presentation. Factor XIIIa plays a critical role in clot stabilization and may impact clot dissolution. Relation of Factor XIIIa activity and symptom duration is not known. Methods We prospectively collected blood samples from patients evaluated by Pulmonary Embolism Response Team at a tertiary care center. Blood was centrifuged, and plasma collected for analysis. We used ELISA method utilizing a commercially available kit from Hyphen, BioMed (Neuville-sur-Oise France), specific for measurement of Factor XIIIa, D-dimer, and Pro-TAFI antigens. Baseline clinical characteristics were collected from electronic medical record. Symptom duration was gathered from patient subjective assessment. Additional workup included radiographic and echocardiographic evaluation. We performed correlation analysis to test the association between symptom duration and Factor XIIIa activity, D-dimer, and Pro-TAFI antigen. Additionally we performed linear regression analyses to quantify the degree of association of symptom duration and Factor XIIIa activity. Results ±±9.8, 8 patients were treated with catheter directed thrombolysis, while the rest were treated with anticoagulation alone. Symptom duration was positively correlated with Factor XIIIa activity (r2=0.227). More so, for every one day increase in symptom duration the Factor XIIIa activity was increased by 2.2%. (p=0.014). We demonstrated no correlation between symptom duration and D-Dimer (p=0.58) or symptom duration and Pro-TAFI antigen (p=0.84). Conclusion In patients with acute PE, symptom duration positively correlated with Factor XIIIa activity, for every one day increase in symptom duration the Factor XIIIa activity was increased by 2.2%. Future studies are needed to ascertain the impact of Factor XIIIa activity and clot dissolution as well as functional outcomes. Figure. Figure. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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.

D-Dimer and CT Rule Out Pulmonary Embolism

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
DAMIAN MCNAMARA
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
D Dimer ◽  
Rule Out

Tissue plasminogen activator as a novel diagnostic aid in acute pulmonary embolism

VASA ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 450-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio Flores ◽  
Ángel García-Avello ◽  
Esther Alonso ◽  
Antonio Ruíz ◽  
Olga Navarrete ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Negative Predictive Value ◽  
Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Acute Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Diagnostic Utility ◽  
Tissue Plasminogen ◽  
D Dimer

Background: We evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared it with an ELISA D-dimer (VIDAS D-dimer) in acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Patients and methods: We studied 127 consecutive outpatients with clinically suspected PE. The diagnosis of PE was based on a clinical probability pretest for PE and a strict protocol of imaging studies. A plasma sample to measure the levels of tPA and D-dimer was obtained at enrollment. Diagnostic accuracy for tPA and D-dimer was determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and the diagnostic utility of tPA with a cutoff of 8.5 ng/mL and D-dimer with a cutoff of 500 ng/mL, were calculated for PE diagnosis. Results: PE was confirmed in 41 patients (32 %). Areas under ROC curves were 0.86 for D-dimer and 0.71 for tPA. The sensitivity/negative predictive value for D-dimer using a cutoff of 500 ng/mL, and tPA using a cutoff of 8.5 ng/mL, were 95 % (95 % CI, 88–100 %)/95 % (95 % CI, 88–100 %) and 95 % (95 % CI, 88–100 %)/94 %), respectively. The diagnostic utility to exclude PE was 28.3 % (95 % CI, 21–37 %) for D-dimer and 24.4 % (95 % CI, 17–33 %) for tPA. Conclusions: The tPA with a cutoff of 8.5 ng/mL has a high sensitivity and negative predictive value for exclusion of PE, similar to those observed for the VIDAS D-dimer with a cutoff of 500 ng/mL, although the diagnostic utility was slightly higher for the D-dimer.

A Comparative Analysis of D-Dimer Assays in Patients with Clinically Suspected Pulmonary Embolism

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 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
High Probability ◽  
Pulmonary Emboli ◽  
Plasma Samples ◽  
Suspected Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Lung Scan ◽  
D Dimer

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.

D-Dimer Determination to Exclude Pulmonary Embolism: a Two-Step Approach Using Latex Assay as a Screening Tool

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (01) ◽  
pp. 089-091 ◽  
Author(s):  
P de Moerloose ◽  
Ph Minazio ◽  
G Reber ◽  
A Perrier ◽  
H Bounameaux
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Elisa Assay ◽  
Elisa Technique ◽  
Diagnostic Step ◽  
D Dimer ◽  
Rule Out ◽  
Latex Test

SummaryD-dimer (DD), when measured by a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), is a valuable test to exclude venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, DD ELISA technique is not appropriate for emergency use and the available agglutination latex assays are not sensitive enough to be used as an alternative to rule out the diagnosis of VTE. Latex assays could still be used as screening tests. We tested this hypothesis by comparing DD levels measured by ELISA and latex assays in 334 patients suspected of pulmonary embolism. All but one patient with a positive (DD ≥500 ng/ml) latex assay had DD levels higher than 500 ng/ml with the ELISA assay. Accordingly, ELISA technique could be restricted to patients with a negative result in latex assay. This two-step approach would have spared about 50% of ELISA in our cohort. In conclusion, our data indicate that a latex test can be used as a first diagnostic step to rule out pulmonary embolism provided a negative result is confirmed by ELISA and the performance of the latex assay used has been assessed properly.

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