Marina J Brochwitz Lewinski

Abstract

Background: The utility of D-dimer in the diagnostic workup of pulmonary embolism has been established. Several D-dimer tests are available with different sensitivities and specificities. SimpliRED D-dimer is a rapid qualitative whole blood D-dimer assay suitable for bedside use.

Objective: To assess the utility of the SimpliRED D-dimer test in patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism in the absence of formal ‘risk scoring’.

Design: A prospective study measuring SimpliRED D-dimer in unselected patients undergoing computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) examination for suspected acute pulmonary embolism.

Main outcome measures: D-dimer and CTPA results were compared. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of SimpliRED D-dimer were calculated for the unselected patient group.

Results: Forty-seven patients underwent D-dimer testing and CTPA. SimpliRED D-dimer was positive in 23 and negative in 24 patients. D-dimer was positive in only 6 (50%) of the 12 patients with positive CTPA. Of the 35 with negative CTPA, 17 had positive D-dimer. The positive predictive value of the D-dimer was 26.1 % and the negative predictive value 75.0%.

Conclusion: SimpliRED D-dimer should not be used in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in the absence of risk scoring.