Diagnostic Value of Tests of Fibrin Metabolism in Patients Predisposed to Pulmonary Embolism

Bynum, Lincoln J.; Crotty, Colleen M.; Wilson, James E.

doi:10.1001/archinte.1979.03630400015009

Cited by 11 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 12 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…For several decades, sensitive and specific assays for the detection of fibrinogen degradation or activation products (fdp, fibrinopeptide A or fragment E) or fibrin split products (D-dimer) have been applied to indirectly confirm or reject the diagnosis of venous thromboembolic disease (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10). Recently, D-dimer assays using ELISA/EIA and latex methods have been advocated (tt-14).…”

Section: Lntroductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparative Analysis of D-Dimer Assays in Patients with Clinically Suspected Pulmonary Embolism

et al. 1993

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SummaryTo avoid angiography in patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism and non-diagnostic lung scan results, the use of D-dimer has been advocated. We assessed plasma samples of 151 consecutive patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism. Lung scan results were: normal (43), high probability (48) and non-diagnostic (60; angiography performed in 43; 12 pulmonary emboli). Reproducibility, cut-off values, specificity, and percentage of patients in whom angiography could be avoided (with sensitivity 100%) were determined for two latex and four ELISA assays.The latex methods (cut-off 500 μg/1) agreed with corresponding ELISA tests in 83% (15% normal latex, abnormal ELISA) and 81% (7% normal latex, abnormal ELISA). ELISA methods showed considerable within- (2–17%) and between-assay Variation (12–26%). Cut-off values were 25 μg/l (Behring), 50 μg/l (Agen), 300 μg/l (Stago) and 550 μg/l (Organon). Specificity was 14–38%; in 4–15% of patients angiography could be avoided.We conclude that latex D-dimer assays appear not useful, whereas ELISA methods may be of limited value in the exclusion of pulmonary embolism.

show abstract