D-dimer as a Prognostic Tool in Patients with Normotensive Pulmonary Embolism.
- Author:
Jae Chol YOON
1
;
Won Young KIM
;
Sang Sik CHOI
;
Sang Ku JUNG
;
Chang Hwan SOHN
;
Won KIM
;
Kyoung Soo LIM
;
Tae O JEONG
;
Young Ho JIN
;
Jae Baek LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Blood Pressure, Normal; Pulmonary Embolism; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Prognosis
- MeSH: Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Humans; Prognosis; Pulmonary Embolism; Resin Cements
- From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2010;68(2):87-92
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: D-dimer testing is widely applied as a first step in the diagnostic work-up of pulmonary embolism (PE). Although this is the most sensitive assay for ruling out PE, the prognostic implications of D-dimer testing in patients with normotensive PE are not well known. The aim of this study was to determine if D-dimer testing on admission predicts major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with normotensive PE. METHODS: A total of 180 consecutive patients with normotensive PE admitted between January 2003 and June 2009 were included. The group was divided into quartiles on the basis of their D-dimer levels. We compared the frequency of MACE by quartile of D-dimer level and estimated sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for MACE in the first and fourth quartile. RESULTS: In the 37 (20.6%) patients with MACEs, the median D-dimer level (7.94 [IQR: 4.03~18.17] microgram/mL) was higher than in patients with a benign course (5.29 [IQR: 2.60~11.52] microgram/mL, p<0.01). The occurrence of MACEs was increased with increasing D-dimer level (p=0.017). In the first quartile (D-Dimer <2.76 microgram/mL) sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for predicting MACEs were, respectively, 91.9%, 29.4%, 25.2%, and 93.3%. CONCLUSION: Patients with D-dimer levels below 2.76 microgram/mL have a low risk of MACEs. Our study suggest that D-dimer level may be used to identify low risk patients with normotensive PE.
