Jornal Vascular Brasileiro
https://jvascbras.org/article/doi/10.1590/1677-5449.202200222
Jornal Vascular Brasileiro
Original Article

Application of the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria (PERC rule) and age-adjusted D-Dimer in patients undergoing computed tomography pulmonary angiography for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism

Aplicação dos critérios PERC e do D-Dímero ajustado para idade em pacientes submetidos a angiotomografia pulmonar para o diagnóstico de embolia pulmonar

John Jaime Sprockel Diaz; Luz Amaya Veronesi Zuluaga; Diana Carolina Coral Coral; Diana Marcela Fierro Rodriguez

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Abstract

Abstract: Background: Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) constitutes a challenge for practitioners. Current practice involves use of pre-test probability prediction rules. Several strategies to optimize this process have been explored.

Objectives: To explore whether application of the pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria (PERC rule) and age-adjusted D-dimer (DD) would have reduced the number of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) examinations performed in patients with suspected PE.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of adult patients taken for CTPA under suspicion of PE in 2018 and 2020. The PERC rule and age-adjusted DD were applied. The number of cases without indications for imaging studies was estimated and the operational characteristics for diagnosis of PE were calculated.

Results: 302 patients were included. PE was diagnosed in 29.8%. Only 27.2% of ‘not probable’ cases according to the Wells criteria had D-dimer assays. Age adjustment would have reduced tomography use by 11.1%, with an AUC of 0.5. The PERC rule would have reduced use by 7%, with an AUC of 0.72.

Conclusions: Application of age-adjusted D-dimer and the PERC rule to patients taken for CTPA because of suspected PE seems to reduce the number of indications for the procedure.

Keywords

pulmonary embolism, fibrin degradation product, diagnosis, clinical decision rules, diagnostic tests

Resumo

Resumo: Contexto: O diagnóstico de embolia pulmonar (EP) representa um desafio para o profissional. A prática atual envolve o uso de modelos de previsão de probabilidade pré-teste e, para otimizar esse processo, várias estratégias têm sido exploradas.

Objetivos: Investigar se a aplicação dos critérios de exclusão de EP (pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria, PERC) e do D-dímero (DD) ajustado para idade diminui o número de angiografias computadorizadas (ATCs) pulmonares realizadas em pacientes com suspeita de EP.

Métodos: Estudo transversal retrospectivo com pacientes adultos submetidos a ATC pulmonar com suspeita de EP em 2018 e 2020. Foram aplicados os critérios PERC e o DD ajustado para idade. Foi estimado o número de casos não indicados para exames de imagem, e foram calculadas as características operacionais para o diagnóstico de EP.

Resultados: Foram incluídos 302 pacientes, dos quais 29,8% apresentaram diagnóstico de EP. Apenas 27,2% dos casos não prováveis ​​de acordo com os critérios de Wells apresentaram DD; o ajuste implicou em uma diminuição de ACTs de 11,1%, com área sob a curva de 0,5. Os critérios PERC diminuiriam em 7%, com área sob a curva de 0,72.

Conclusões: A aplicação do DD ajustado para idade e dos critérios PERC em pacientes submetidos a ATC pulmonar por suspeita de EP parece diminuir a indicação para tais exames.
 

Palavras-chave

embolia pulmonar, produtos de degradação da fibrina, diagnóstico, regras de decisão clínica, testes diagnósticos

References

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Submitted date:
03/15/2022

Accepted date:
01/27/2023

Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular (SBACV)"> Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular (SBACV)">
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