BACKGROUND: Several clinical decision rules (CDRs) are available to exclude acute pulmonary embolism (PE), but they have not been directly compared. OBJECTIVE: To directly compare the performance of 4 CDRs (Wells rule, revised Geneva score, simplified Wells rule, and simplified revised Geneva score) in combination with d-dimer testing to exclude PE. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: 7 hospitals in the Netherlands. PATIENTS: 807 consecutive patients with suspected acute PE. INTERVENTION: The clinical probability of PE was assessed by using a computer program that calculated all CDRs and indicated the next diagnostic step. Results of the CDRs and d-dimer tests guided clinical care. MEASUREMENTS: Results of the CDRs were compared with the prevalence of PE identified by computed tomography or venous thromboembolism at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Prevalence of PE was 23%. The proportion of patients categorized as PE-unlikely ranged from 62% (simplified Wells rule) to 72% (Wells rule). Combined with a normal d-dimer result, the CDRs excluded PE in 22% to 24% of patients. The total failure rates of the CDR and d-dimer combinations were similar (1 failure, 0.5% to 0.6% [upper-limit 95% CI, 2.9% to 3.1%]). Even though 30% of patients had discordant CDR outcomes, PE was not detected in any patient with discordant CDRs and a normal d-dimer result. LIMITATION: Management was based on a combination of decision rules and d-dimer testing rather than only 1 CDR combined with d-dimer testing. CONCLUSION: All 4 CDRs show similar performance for exclusion of acute PE in combination with a normal d-dimer result. This prospective validation indicates that the simplified scores may be used in clinical practice. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Academic Medical Center, VU University Medical Center, Rijnstate Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Maastricht University Medical Center, Erasmus Medical Center, and Maasstad Hospital.
BACKGROUND: Several clinical decision rules (CDRs) are available to exclude acute pulmonary embolism (PE), but they have not been directly compared. OBJECTIVE: To directly compare the performance of 4 CDRs (Wells rule, revised Geneva score, simplified Wells rule, and simplified revised Geneva score) in combination with d-dimer testing to exclude PE. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: 7 hospitals in the Netherlands. PATIENTS: 807 consecutive patients with suspected acute PE. INTERVENTION: The clinical probability of PE was assessed by using a computer program that calculated all CDRs and indicated the next diagnostic step. Results of the CDRs and d-dimer tests guided clinical care. MEASUREMENTS: Results of the CDRs were compared with the prevalence of PE identified by computed tomography or venous thromboembolism at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Prevalence of PE was 23%. The proportion of patients categorized as PE-unlikely ranged from 62% (simplified Wells rule) to 72% (Wells rule). Combined with a normal d-dimer result, the CDRs excluded PE in 22% to 24% of patients. The total failure rates of the CDR and d-dimer combinations were similar (1 failure, 0.5% to 0.6% [upper-limit 95% CI, 2.9% to 3.1%]). Even though 30% of patients had discordant CDR outcomes, PE was not detected in any patient with discordant CDRs and a normal d-dimer result. LIMITATION: Management was based on a combination of decision rules and d-dimer testing rather than only 1 CDR combined with d-dimer testing. CONCLUSION: All 4 CDRs show similar performance for exclusion of acute PE in combination with a normal d-dimer result. This prospective validation indicates that the simplified scores may be used in clinical practice. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Academic Medical Center, VU University Medical Center, Rijnstate Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Maastricht University Medical Center, Erasmus Medical Center, and Maasstad Hospital.
Authors: Joachim Gruettner; Tim Viergutz; Merle Bolte; Thomas Henzler; Stefan O Schoenberg; Sonja Sudarski; Paul Apfaltrer; Thomas Walter Journal: Exp Ther Med Date: 2015-03-30 Impact factor: 2.447
Authors: Paul D Stein; Fadi Matta; Patrick G Hughes; Zak N Hourmouzis; Nina P Hourmouzis; Robert E Schweiss; Jennifer A Bach; Viviane M Kazan; Edward J Kakish; Daniel C Keyes; Mary J Hughes Journal: Emerg Radiol Date: 2016-07-12
Authors: Emma Simon; Isomi M Miake-Lye; Silas W Smith; Jordan L Swartz; Leora I Horwitz; Danil V Makarov; Soterios Gyftopoulos Journal: J Am Coll Radiol Date: 2019-04-29 Impact factor: 5.532