CONTEXT: A previous study suggested that the combination of a normal D-dimer assay and normal alveolar dead-space fraction is a highly sensitive screening test for pulmonary embolism (PE). OBJECTIVE: To determine if the combination of a normal alveolar dead-space fraction (volume of alveolar dead space/tidal volume </=20%) and a normal whole-blood agglutination D-dimer assay can exclude PE in emergency department (ED) patients. DESIGN: Prospective, noninterventional study conducted in 1998-1999. Study data were obtained prior to standard testing for PE, consisting of radionuclide lung scanning or contrast-enhanced computed tomography and 6-month follow-up plus selective use of venous ultrasonography and pulmonary angiography. Imaging studies were interpreted by blinded observers. SETTING: Six urban teaching hospitals in the United States. PATIENTS: A total of 380 hemodynamically stable ED patients aged 18 years or older with suspected acute PE. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity and specificity for PE with a positive test defined as having either alveolar dead-space fraction or D-dimer assay results abnormal. Alveolar dead-space fraction was determined by subtracting airway dead space from physiological dead space (determined using the modified Bohr equation) and D-dimer assay, assayed at bedside using 20 microL of arterial blood. RESULTS: Pulmonary embolism was diagnosed in 64 patients (16.8%), of those 20 had an abnormal D-dimer assay result, 3 had an abnormal alveolar dead-space fraction, 40 had abnormal results in both, and 1 had normal results for both tests. The sensitivity for diagnosis of PE was 98.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 91.6%-100.0%). Among the 316 patients without PE, both D-dimer and dead-space results were normal in 163, for a specificity of 51.6% (95% CI, 46.1%-57.1%). Posterior probability of PE with normal results on both tests was 0.75% (95% CI, 0%-3.4%). CONCLUSION: In this multicenter study of ED patients, a normal D-dimer assay result plus a normal alveolar dead-space fraction was associated with a low prevalence of PE.
CONTEXT: A previous study suggested that the combination of a normal D-dimer assay and normal alveolar dead-space fraction is a highly sensitive screening test for pulmonary embolism (PE). OBJECTIVE: To determine if the combination of a normal alveolar dead-space fraction (volume of alveolar dead space/tidal volume </=20%) and a normal whole-blood agglutination D-dimer assay can exclude PE in emergency department (ED) patients. DESIGN: Prospective, noninterventional study conducted in 1998-1999. Study data were obtained prior to standard testing for PE, consisting of radionuclide lung scanning or contrast-enhanced computed tomography and 6-month follow-up plus selective use of venous ultrasonography and pulmonary angiography. Imaging studies were interpreted by blinded observers. SETTING: Six urban teaching hospitals in the United States. PATIENTS: A total of 380 hemodynamically stable ED patients aged 18 years or older with suspected acute PE. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity and specificity for PE with a positive test defined as having either alveolar dead-space fraction or D-dimer assay results abnormal. Alveolar dead-space fraction was determined by subtracting airway dead space from physiological dead space (determined using the modified Bohr equation) and D-dimer assay, assayed at bedside using 20 microL of arterial blood. RESULTS:Pulmonary embolism was diagnosed in 64 patients (16.8%), of those 20 had an abnormal D-dimer assay result, 3 had an abnormal alveolar dead-space fraction, 40 had abnormal results in both, and 1 had normal results for both tests. The sensitivity for diagnosis of PE was 98.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 91.6%-100.0%). Among the 316 patients without PE, both D-dimer and dead-space results were normal in 163, for a specificity of 51.6% (95% CI, 46.1%-57.1%). Posterior probability of PE with normal results on both tests was 0.75% (95% CI, 0%-3.4%). CONCLUSION: In this multicenter study of ED patients, a normal D-dimer assay result plus a normal alveolar dead-space fraction was associated with a low prevalence of PE.
Authors: Derek G Lohan; Carmel G Cronin; Conor P Meehan; Stephen T Kee; Michael D Dake; Ian R Davidson; Gerard J O'Sullivan Journal: Emerg Radiol Date: 2006-11-18
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Authors: Wim A M Lucassen; Renée A Douma; Diane B Toll; Harry R Büller; Henk C P M van Weert Journal: BMC Fam Pract Date: 2010-09-13 Impact factor: 2.497
Authors: J A Torres Acosta; J de Almeida Engler; J Raes; Z Magyar; R De Groodt; D Inzé; L De Veylder Journal: Cell Mol Life Sci Date: 2004-06 Impact factor: 9.261