Age-Adjusted Cutoff D-Dimer Level to Rule Out Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Validation Cohort Study

摘要

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in the Emergency Room setting is challenging. Multiple patients have to undergo radiologic assessment with its inherent shortcomings. The D-dimer test with accepted cutoff level of 500 mg/L is associated with a high proportion of false-positive results. The present study aimed to validate the advantages of using an age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff level, compared with 500-mg/L value in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism.