Diagnostic value of Geneva score combined with rapid plasma D-dimer assay for pulmonary embolism

Abstract

Objective To study the value of Geneva score assessment combined with simplified rapid plasma D-dimer assay(SRPDDA)for early diagnosis of pulmonary embolism(PE).Methods Clinical data of 658 suspected cases of PE hospitalized at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital during January 1,1995 to November 30,2007 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into three categories based on their Geneva score assessment,highly suspected with equal to or greater than 9 scores,intermediately suspected with 5-8 scores and mildly suspected with equal to or less than 4 scores,respectively.Clinical diagnosis for PE of the patients was made based on their probability Geneva score developed by Wicki,SRPDDA,and both Geneva score assessment and SRPDDA,respectively,and compared with results of lung imaging.Results Finally,PE diagnosis was established in 267 cases.Sensitivity for Geneva score and SRPDDA to diagnose PE was 88.4%and 90.3%,with negative predictive value(NPV)of 88.9%and 90.2%and Youden Index(YI)of 51.7%and 51.4%,respectively.And,sensitivity of both Geneva score assessment combined with SRPDDA wag 97.8%,with NPV and YI of 97.3%and 53.8%,respectively,with a likelihood ratio(LR)for both positive test results of 2.62 and a LB for both negative test results of 0.04,respectively.Conclusions As a routine and non-invasive diagnostic test,Geneva score assessment,as well as SRPDDA,play a screening role in early diagnosis for PE,which can help to save unnecessary cost of imping,and complement each other so to improve accuracy of diagnosis and reduce misdiagnosis. Key words: Pulmonary embolism; Diagnosis; Clinical assessment; D-dimer