Role and importance of MDCT in diagnostic protocol in patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. The aim of this study was to examine whether the examination MDCT pulmoangiography uses as a part of algorithm in patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism, and testing the hypothesis that the significant increase of D dimer above the fabric set value can and with which certainty which indicate the presence of pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism remains a challenging diagnostic problem in which clinical assessment alone is unreliable and objective testing is necessary. The introduction of D-dimer testing and spiral computed tomography scanning has considerably modified the diagnostic approach to pulmonary embolism. METHOD. This retrospective study includes 43 patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism were examined on MDCT and the results compared with the values of quantitative D dimer and a Geneva score. RESULTS. Of 43 patients, 10 (23,3%) had pulmonary embolism and in all of them the D dimer was significantly elevated. We concluded that there are statistically significant differences (p=0.003<0.05) in the values of D dimer in the patients with low or moderate or high clinical probability and a statistically significant differences between populations with negativefindings and patients with pulmonary embolism (Z=-4.658, p=0.000<0.005). CONCLUSION. D dimer was significantly increased in patients with acute pulmonary embolism and it would be an excellent marker, but because of low specify it can be used separately, but in combination with results of Geneva score and MDCT as end -point in algorithm examinations.