D-dimer levels and 90-day outcome in patients with acute pulmonary embolism with or without cancer

Thromb Res. 2014 Mar;133(3):384-9. doi: 10.1016/j.thromres.2013.12.044. Epub 2014 Jan 6.

Abstract

Background: The prognostic value of D-dimer testing in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) has not been thoroughly studied.

Methods: We used the RIETE Registry data to assess the 90-day prognostic value of increased IL Test D-dimer levels at baseline in patients with PE, according to the presence or absence of cancer.

Results: As of May 2013, 3,283 patients with acute PE underwent D-dimer testing using IL Test D-dimer. Among 2,588 patients without cancer, those with D-dimer levels in the highest quartile had a higher rate of fatal PE (2.6% vs. 0.9%; p=0.002), fatal bleeding (1.1% vs. 0.3%; p=0.017) and all-cause death (9.1% vs. 4.4%; p<0.001) at 90 days compared with those with levels in the lowest quartiles. Among 695 patients with cancer, those with levels in the highest quartile had a similar rate of fatal PE or fatal bleeding but higher mortality (35% vs. 24%; p<0.01). On multivariate analysis, non-cancer patients with D-dimer levels in the highest quartile had an increased risk for fatal PE (odds ratio [OR]: 3.3; 95% CI: 1.6-6.6), fatal bleeding (OR: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.4-13.7) and all-cause death (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.4-3.1) compared with patients with levels in the lowest quartiles.

Conclusions: Non-cancer patients with acute PE and IL Test D-dimer levels in the highest quartile had an independently higher risk for fatal PE, fatal bleeding and all-cause death at 90 days than those with levels in the lowest quartiles. In patients with cancer, D-dimer levels failed to predict fatal PE or fatal bleeding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / analysis*
  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / blood*
  • Prognosis
  • Pulmonary Embolism / blood*
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products
  • fibrin fragment D