Report from ARRS: Studies identify expanded role for D-dimer test

April 21, 2008 Report from ARRS: Studies identify expanded role for D-dimer test H. A. Abella -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reports of the demise of the D-dimer test for suspected pulmonary embolism may be greatly exaggerated, according to two new studies. Multislice CT angiography has become the de facto standard for pulmonary embolism detection, but researchers in Illinois and Hawaii have shown the inexpensive blood test can effectively rule out PE in patients with low and even intermediate risk while eliminating unnecessary CTA exams. With the swift rise of pulmonary CTA as the preferred test for PE, D-dimer assays are now used mainly for risk stratification and clinical decision making. Though physicians still rely on D-dimer for ruling out PE in patients with a low clinical probability of disease, the test's sensitivity for other risk groups has been questioned, said Dr. Rajan T. Gupta, a radiologist at the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago.

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