title: Value of D-dimer and HDL cholesterol concentrations in predicting the occurrence of acute pulmonary embolism.
abstract: Pulmonary embolism (PE) usually is a clinical manifestation of venous thromboembolism. The lack of simple and safe laboratory test to confirm or exclude PE is a problem that slows down the diagnosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was the assessment the usefulness of D-dimer and HDL cholesterol concentration in predicting the occurrence of acute pulmonary embolism.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group comprised 86 patients. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were measured by catalase HDL-C and LDLC assay. The D-dimer level was assessed using immunoenzymatic method with high sensitivity test (VIDAS D-Dimer Exclusion). Pulmonary embolism was diagnosed using contrast-enhanced multidetector computer tomography (16-row GE Light Speed Pro and 64-row Toshiba Aquilion Systems).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all patients with PE, higher D-dimer concentration was found. Odds ratio (OR) calculated for the D-dimer indicates that the concentration of D-dimer ≥859,5 ng/ml increases the risk of PE 612 times, compared with those with levels below 859,5 ng/ml. HDL cholesterol level in patients with PE was significantly lower compared with the control group (p < 0,05). Odds ratio (OR) calculated for the HDL cholesterol indicates that the risk of PE in subjects with the concentration of HDL-C ≤44 mg/dl is 26,89 times higher, compared with individuals with HDL-C >44 mg/dl.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According the studies, increase D-dimer and decrease HDL levels are an independent risk factors for occurrence of acute pulmonary embolism.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Lodz, Poland: Depatment of Internal Medicine and Cardiac Rehabilitation.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Lodz, Poland: Depatment of Internal Medicine and Cardiac Rehabilitation.
authors.forename: Jacek Tadeusz
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Jędrzejczyk
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Lodz, Poland: Depatment of Internal Medicine and Cardiac Rehabilitation.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barylski
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Lodz, Poland: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.
authors.forename: Julita
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ciećwierz
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Lodz, Poland: Department of Allergology and Respiratory Rehabilitation.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sienkiewicz
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Lodz, Poland: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kowalczyk
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D
keywords: D-dimer concentration; HDL-C concentration; acute pulmonary embolism; risk factor