Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 10, 2025

Lung CT Segmentation to Identify Consolidations and Ground Glass Areas for Quantitative Assesment of SARS-CoV Pneumonia
08:05

Lung CT Segmentation to Identify Consolidations and Ground Glass Areas for Quantitative Assesment of SARS-CoV Pneumonia

Published on: December 19, 2020

14.4K

Diagnostic Accuracy of D-Dimers for Predicting Pulmonary Embolism in COVID-19-Patients

Falmata Laouan Brem1, Boudouh Asmae2, Yassine Amane3

  • 1Department of Cardiology, 470522Mohammed VI University Hospital, Mohammed First University, Oujda, MAR, Morocco.

Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis : Official Journal of the International Academy of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis
|December 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

A D-dimer cut-off of 2600 ng/mL effectively predicts pulmonary embolism (PE) in COVID-19 patients. This finding aids in guiding computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) decisions for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hematology

Background:

  • COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) is associated with hypercoagulable states and elevated D-dimer levels, even without pulmonary embolism (PE).
  • D-dimer levels are a key biomarker in assessing thrombotic risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare D-dimer values in COVID-19 patients with and without PE.
  • To establish an optimal D-dimer cut-off value for predicting PE in COVID-19 patients.
  • To guide the indication for pulmonary computed tomography angiography (CTPA).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective enrollment of 84 COVID-19 patients suspected of PE undergoing CTPA.
  • Comparison of demographic characteristics and blood test results between PE-positive and PE-negative groups.
  • Construction of a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve to determine the optimal D-dimer cut-off.

Main Results:

  • Pulmonary embolism (PE) was diagnosed in 31.9% of COVID-19 patients.
  • The median D-dimer level was significantly higher in patients with PE (14,680 ng/mL) compared to those without PE (2,980 ng/mL).
  • An optimal D-dimer cut-off of 2600 ng/mL predicted PE with 90.3% sensitivity and an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.773.

Conclusions:

  • A D-dimer cut-off value of 2600 ng/mL is a significant predictor of PE in COVID-19 patients.
  • This cut-off demonstrates high sensitivity (90.3%) for PE detection.
  • The findings support the use of D-dimer levels to refine CTPA indications in COVID-19 patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19coagulopathyd-dimerspulmonary embolismthreshold

More Related Videos

Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis06:45

Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis

Published on: February 10, 2023

14.5K
Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease04:41

Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease

Published on: July 3, 2018

8.3K

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:29

Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...
67
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:20

Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
63
Pulmonary Embolism III: Nursing Management01:27

Pulmonary Embolism III: Nursing Management

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a thrombus, amniotic fluid, tumor tissue, fat, or air embolus blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. Effective nursing management and patient education are crucial for improving outcomes and preventing recurrence.Nursing management starts with obtaining a comprehensive patient history, particularly noting any history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Assess for clinical manifestations, including dyspnea, chest pain, crackles, heart murmurs, and signs of right-sided...
69
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction01:29

Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction

Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a thrombus, fat or air embolus, amniotic fluid, or tumor tissue blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. These blockages originate in the venous system or the right side of the heart.EtiologyPE primarily arises from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other hypercoagulable states, such as inherited thrombophilias. Additional etiological factors include venous stasis, commonly seen in obesity, and endothelial injury from surgery and trauma. Less common causes include...
173
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...
40
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies01:27

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies

Assessing and diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involves a detailed approach that includes a comprehensive review of medical history, physical examination, and a variety of diagnostic tests. This thorough evaluation is essential to ensure an accurate diagnosis and guide effective management strategies.
Medical History
2.6K