title: Role of ELISA D-dimer test in patients with unstable angina pectoris presenting at the emergency department with a normal electrocardiogram.
abstract: Patients with unstable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction have higher than normal D-dimer levels. The aim of the study was to determine the value of the D-dimer test in patients with unstable angina pectoris and a normal electrocardiogram on presentation at the emergency department. The study sample included 81 patients who met these criteria. Blood samples collected at admission were subjected to ELISA D-dimer. Findings were correlated with coronary risk factors, use of cardiac medications, blood levels of acute phase reactants (fibrinogen and C-reactive protein), cardiac enzymes levels, length of hospital stay, and catheterization findings. ELISA D-dimer levels were statistically significantly correlated with cardiac risk factors, namely male sex, older age, smoking, and hypertension (r = 0.25, P = 0.02; r = 0.43, P = 0.0001; r = 0.26, P = 0.03; r = 0.35, P = 0.002, respectively), in addition to use of cardiac medications (beta blockers, aspirin, nitrates), levels of acute phase reactants, length of stay, and catheterization findings. On multivariate analysis, only D-dimer level, age, and sex were predictors of length of stay (P = 0.018). The study suggests that D-dimer levels at admission to the emergency department may serve as an additional tool to predict the magnitude of unstable angina pectoris in patients with a normal electrocardiogram.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqwa, Israel. davariel@zahav.net.il
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shitrit
authors.forename: Ariella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bar-Gil Shitrit
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rudensky
authors.forename: Jaqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sulkes
authors.forename: Natan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gutterer
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zviony
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent 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; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D