Accuracy of the D-Dimer Assay for the Exclusion of Pulmonary Embolism in a High Risk Oncologic Population

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Pulmonary Embolism; Cancer

Treatments: Procedure: CT pulmonary angiogram and d-dimer draw

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00615147

05-040

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to see if a blood test (D-dimer) is as precise as the CT scan for the detection of clots.

A pulmonary embolism is an obstruction of the blood vessels in your lungs usually due to a blood clot that travels to the lungs usually from the leg. Research has shown that the results of a specific blood test (D-dimer) can be used instead of a CT scan to diagnose clots. D-dimer is a valuable diagnostic marker in either detecting the presence of or monitoring the progress of blood clots. D-dimer assays have proven to be a beneficial diagnostic tool in the evaluation of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE).

Enrollment: 213 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 21+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• All patients evaluated in the urgent care center and determined to need with CT pulmonary angiogram to rule out pulmonary embolism based on signs and symptoms such as dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and/or pulse oxygen desaturation will be included.

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to obtain CT pulmonary angiogram secondary to lack of IV access, contrast allergy or lack of consent.
• CT pulmonary angiogram not done with routine protocol for rule out pulmonary embolism.
• Less than 21 years of age

Trial design

213 participants in 1 patient group

1

Description:

Patients to have a CT pulmonary angiogram for suspected pulmonary embolism will have a d-dimer drawn as is routinely done.

Treatment:

Procedure: CT pulmonary angiogram and d-dimer draw