title: Use of SimpliRED D-dimer assay and computerised tomography in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The utility of D-dimer in the diagnostic workup of pulmonary embolism has been established. Several D-dimer tests are available with different sensitivities and specificities. SimpliRED D-dimer is a rapid qualitative whole blood D-dimer assay suitable for bedside use.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the utility of the SimpliRED D-dimer test in patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism in the absence of formal 'risk scoring'.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study measuring SimpliRED D-dimer in unselected patients undergoing computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) examination for suspected acute pulmonary embolism.
  
  
  METHODS
  D-dimer and CTPA results were compared. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of SimpliRED D-dimer were calculated for the unselected patient group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-seven patients underwent D-dimer testing and CTPA. SimpliRED D-dimer was positive in 23 and negative in 24 patients. D-dimer was positive in only 6 (50%) of the 12 patients with positive CTPA. Of the 35 with negative CTPA, 17 had positive D-dimer. The positive predictive value of the D-dimer was 26.1 % and the negative predictive value 75.0%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SimpliRED D-dimer should not be used in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in the absence of risk scoring.
authors: Specialist Registrar in Radiology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA.
authors: Deepak
authors: D
authors: Subedi
authors: Derek
authors: D
authors: Bell
authors: Marina J
authors: MJ
authors: Brochwitz-Lewinski
authors: Shazad
authors: S
authors: Aslam
authors: John T
authors: JT
authors: Murchison