Failure of thrombin-antithrombin III complexes in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.
Plasma thrombin-antithrombin III (T-AT) complexes are reputed to be an indirect manifestation of thrombin generation, and a role for their determination in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been advocated. In order to evaluate the accuracy of T-AT complexes assay for DVT diagnosis, in 166 consecutive outpatients with clinical suspicion of the disease, plasma concentration of T-AT complexes was measured immediately before venography by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The result of the T-AT complexes assay was elevated in 29 of the 48 patients with DVT (sensitivity, 60%). The T-AT complexes levels were within the normal range in 104 of the 118 patients with normal venograms (specificity, 88%). The positive and the negative predictive value were 67% and 85%, respectively. The authors conclude that the T-AT complexes assay is of little value for the diagnosis of DVT in outpatients.
Cogo
A
A
Clinica Medica II, University of Padua, Italy.
Lensing
A
A
Prandoni
P
P
Canova
G
G
De Toni
R
R
Cuppini
S
S
Ruol
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000990:Antithrombin III / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000175:diagnosis*
C046193:antithrombin III-protease complex; D000990:Antithrombin III; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases