The Relationship Between Pulmonary Artery Diameter Measured by Chest CT and D-Dimer in COVID-19 Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department

Abstract

Aim: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become a global health emergency due to its rapid spread worldwide. Our study evaluated the relationship between pulmonary artery diameter and d-dimer in COVID-19 patients. 
 
 Material and Methods: Patients aged 18 years and older with International Classification of Diseases 10 diagnosis code U07.3 who were admitted to our emergency department between March 15, 2020, and November 31, 2020, were included in our study. Demographic data (age, sex), laboratory tests (polymerase chain reaction test, d-dimer level), and imaging results (chest computed tomography, computed tomography pulmonary angiography) of the patients were retrospectively analyzed using medical records and the hospital electronic record system. 
 
 Results: A total of 1654 patients were included in the study. The 30-day mortality rate was 13.7% (n=227). The most effective independent variable on 30-day mortality was 44 years of age or older. Pulmonary artery diameter and d-dimer levels were found to be higher in both the group with typical COVID-19 chest computed tomography findings and in patients who died within 30 days. However, unlike the literature, there was no significant difference in pulmonary artery diameter and d-dimer levels between patients with and without pulmonary embolism. 
 
 Conclusion: In conclusion, we found a weak positive correlation between d-dimer and pulmonary artery diameter in COVID-19 patients.