Abstract:

The use of high plasma D-Dimer level in the suspicion of pulmonary tromboembolism (PTE) also can be used in pneumonia. Prospectively, in this study plasma D-Dimer levels with Latex Agglutination method in PTE cases were checked and compared with healthy and tuberculosis cases. Between November 2000 and October 2001, 23 PTE cases (group 1), 23 pulmonary tuberculosis (group 2) and 23 healthy cases (group 3) were regarded in the same ages. D-Dimer cut-off level is accepted 250μg/L. The results were found positive 14 cases in Group 1 (61%) and 3 cases in Group 2 (13%). All Group 3 were negative. Group 1 sensitivity (61%, 61%), spesifity (100%, 87%), pozitive predictive level (100%, 82%), negative predictive level (72%, 69%) were found respectively compared with Group 2 and 3. Mean plasma D-Dimer levels, in Group 1,2,3 are as follows respectively: 1091± 1666 μg/L (0-5000), 183±349 μg/L (4-1325), 51±41 μg/L (5-135). Group 1 was found istatistically significant compared with Group 2 and 3 (respectively p<0.0073, p<0.0019). The difference between values of Group 2 and group 3 was also significant (p<0.05). In our study, plasma D-Dimer level with Latex Agglutination method was found below than cut-off level in healthy groups, the diagnosis of PTE can be subtracted.

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