The value of the simplidRED D-Dimer test in the evaluation of pulmonary embolism when compared to lung perfusion/ventilation scans

Abstract

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a potentially fatal condition especially if left untreated. In order to decrease the mortality and morbidity of PE, swift diagnosis and treatment are essential. Locally, the diagnosis of PE mainly relies on lung ventilation/perfusion scanning. The SimpliRED® D-Dimer test is a blood test with a very high sensitivity that if carried out prior to lung V /Q scans, could aid in decreasing the number of unnecessary scans performed (Pistolesi & Miniati, 2002). The high number of negative V/Q scan results, the radiation issues involved, the high workloads on the staff at the Gamma Camera Unit and the high costs involved in imaging these patients motivated the researcher to investigate this issue. A non-experimental, qualitative and retrospective research study was undertaken to determine if the SimpliRED® D-Dimer blood test could have any use in the diagnosis of PE and especially in its exclusion. The researcher analysed a population sample of patients that had done a SimpliRED® D-Dimer blood test prior to the V /Q scan. The research instrument consisted of a data-gathering table set up by the researcher for the purpose of this investigation. Findings showed that there was a significant association between the results of the SimpliRED® D-Dimer blood test and the V/Q scan. This means that D-Dimer tests may aid in the diagnosis of PE prior to performing V/Q scans. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the SimpliRED® D-Dimer performed locally was found to be 100%, which approximates the sensitivity values found in the literature. This indicates that a negative SimpliRED® D-Dimer test result could accurately exclude PE and the need for further imaging. The researcher, thus, proposed various recommendations based on these findings including the need for a protocol that would standardise the approach to the diagnosis of PE.