Performance of a new fibrin monomer assay to exclude deep vein thrombosis in symptomatic outpatients.
In this study we prospectively assessed the reliability of a new fibrin monomer assay in 106 outpatients with clinically suspected deep venous thrombosis of the lower limb. According to the results of the objective tests and using different cut-off points we calculated the sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value of the fibrin monomer assay. The prevalence of deep vein thrombosis was 44.3% (31.1% proximal, 13.2% distal). Using a cut-off level of plasma fibrin monomer of 3.5 microg/ml, a sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value of 100% (95% CI: 94-100%), 35.6% (95% CI: 23-48%) and 100% (95% CI: 86-100%), respectively, were obtained. The exclusion rate was 19.8% (95% CI: 12-27%) of all referred patients. These accuracy indices compared favourably with the respective results of a routine D-dimer ELISA used for comparison.


CONCLUSIONS
This new fibrin monomer assay appears to be a reliable method for the exclusion of deep vein thrombosis in symptomatic outpatients.
Caliezi
C
C
Central Hematology Laboratory, University Hospital, Inselspital Bern, Switzerland.
Fünfsinn
N
N
Mauron
T
T
Baumgartner
I
I
Sulzer
I
I
Ulrich
M
M
Cottier
C
C
Demarmels Biasiutti
F
F
Lämmle
B
B
Wuillemin
W A
WA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001681:Biological Assay; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000175:diagnosis*