title: Correlation of D-dimer level with the radiological severity indexes of pulmonary embolism on computed tomography pulmonary angiography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is known that the main role of D-dimer has been as an exclusionary test in patients with suspected venous thromboembolism. However, the D-dimer is increasingly beginning to find clinical utility as a marker in the evaluation of the extent of the embolic disease. The aim of the study was to determine whether D-dimer levels predict the radiological markers of pulmonary embolism (PE) severity using Mastora score.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study involved 69 patients with acute PE proved by computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). The D-dimer level was noted. A pulmonary artery obstruction index (PAOI; Mastora score) ≥ 21.3% indicated severe obstruction of PE. A right ventricle/left ventricle (RV/LV) ratio >0.9 indicated RV dysfunction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median D-dimer level and PAOI were 765 µg/L (95% CI: 750-1 205 µg/L) and 16.77% (95% CI: 16.32%-23.06%), respectively. The D-dimer level was positively correlated with PAOI (r = 0.417, P < 0.000 1). PAOI ≥ 21.3% was associated with high D-dimer levels (median, 993 µg/L (95% CI: 856-1 841 µg/L), Z = -2.991, P = 0.003). The D-dimer level was correlated with the RV/LV ratio (r = 0.272, P = 0.024). RV/LV ratios >0.9 were associated with high D-dimer levels (median, 880 µg/L (95% CI: 764-1 360 µg/L), Z = -2.070, P = 0.038). PAOI was positively correlated with the RV/LV ratio (r = 0.390, P = 0.001). After three months, both the PAOI and D-dimer levels decreased (Z = -7.009, P < 0.000 1; Z = -6.976, P < 0.000 1, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  D-dimer levels are positively correlated with PE burden and right ventricle dysfunction on CTPA, and can help monitor the therapeutic response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, China.
authors.forename: Yingqun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, China.
authors.forename: Keeran Sandya
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Juggessur-Mungur
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, China.
authors.forename: Zhiyong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, China. Email: med1byby@vip.sina.com.
authors.forename: Zhonghe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000473:pathology; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018497:Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D