Diagnostic usefulness of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A in suspected pulmonary embolism

Abstract

BackgroundThe role of biomarkers for prognostication and diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) is increasing. It has been reported that pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) can be used as a proatherosclerotic marker. The present study was aimed to evaluate whether PAPP-A levels are helpful in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with suspected PE.Methods53 consecutive patients evaluated for suspected PE were prospectively enrolled in the study. Serum PAPP-A levels were measured in the blood samples which were taken at admission. Multi-slice computed tomographic angiography was used to verify the diagnosis of PE.ResultsPE was detected in 24 out of the 53 patients, while it was excluded in 29 patients by thorax multi-detector computerized tomography scan. No significant difference was detected in mean serum PAPP-A level between groups (5.72 ± 0.31 mg/L vs. 5.67 ± 0.06 mg/L, respectively).ConclusionsSerum PAPP-A level has no role in the evaluation for PE.

Elevated PAPP-A Levels In Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

“…In the other study, it was shown that the serum PAPP-A level was elevated in lung cancer and it was emphasised that this increase in PAPP-A could be an inflammatory marker 33 . In contrast in another study, it was reported that there was no difference between PAPP-A levels in patients with pulmonary embolism and the control group, and there was no correlation between PAPP-A levels and inflammatory markers 34 . A study by Cengiz et al was similar to the current study and high serum PAPP-A values were determined in OSAS patients compared to a control group.…”