Evaluation of the Role of D-Dimer in the Diagnosis of Suspected Pulmonary Embolism
S, S., S, A., M, S., A, D., M, A. (2005). Evaluation of the Role of D-Dimer in the Diagnosis of Suspected Pulmonary Embolism. EKB Journal Management System, 35(4), 885-896. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2005.169657
Sourour M. S; Atta M. S; Shaheen M. M; Deghady A. A; Assar A. M. "Evaluation of the Role of D-Dimer in the Diagnosis of Suspected Pulmonary Embolism". EKB Journal Management System, 35, 4, 2005, 885-896. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2005.169657
S, S., S, A., M, S., A, D., M, A. (2005). 'Evaluation of the Role of D-Dimer in the Diagnosis of Suspected Pulmonary Embolism', EKB Journal Management System, 35(4), pp. 885-896. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2005.169657
S, S., S, A., M, S., A, D., M, A. Evaluation of the Role of D-Dimer in the Diagnosis of Suspected Pulmonary Embolism. EKB Journal Management System, 2005; 35(4): 885-896. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2005.169657

Evaluation of the Role of D-Dimer in the Diagnosis of Suspected Pulmonary Embolism

Journal of High Institute of Public Health
Article 8, Volume 35, Issue 4, October 2005, Page 885-896  XML
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/jhiph.2005.169657
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Authors
Sourour M. S1; Atta M. S1; Shaheen M. M1; Deghady A. A2; Assar A. M1
1Department of Chest, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
2Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of D-dimer in the diagnosis of suspected pulmonary embolism [PE].
Patients and Methods: This study entailed 40 subjects representing group I; 15 patients clinically suspected as PE and have positive V/Q scan, group II; 15 patients clinically suspected as PE and have negative V/Q scan, and group III; 10 normal volunteers. All participants were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, radiological examination, V/Q scan, and assessment of D-dimer level using an agglutination immunological assay.
Results: The sensitivity of D-dimer as a diagnostic marker of pulmonary embolism was 93.3%, specificity 60%, positive predictive value 70%, negative predictive value 90%, and accuracy 76.7%. The sensitivity of D-dimer as a diagnostic marker of pulmonary embolism and/or DVT was 94.4%, specificity 75%, positive predictive value 85%, negative predictive value 90%, and accuracy 86.7%. The results of D-dimer in control group was negative in all subjects.
Conclusion: D-dimer had a definite place in the diagnostic procedure for suspected acute pulmonary embolism; when the concentration is below 500μg/L, the diagnosis can be ruled out. D-dimer had a better specificity in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism when there are no co-morbid conditions as thrombosed piles or recent surgery. 
Keywords
D-dimer; pulmonary embolism diagnosis; PE laboratory diagnosis
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