R.E.B.E.L.EM - September 03, 2018 - By Sindhya Rajeev
..."Authors Conclusions: “Managing patients for suspected pulmonary embolism on the basis of pretest probability and D-dimer result is safe and decreases the need for diagnostic imaging.”
Our Conclusion: Combined low PE pre-test probability (Wells’ criteria) and negative D-dimer has a very high NPV in excluding PE.
Potential to Impact Current Practice: Based on these results, patients with suspected PE who have a low pre-test probability per Wells’ criteria and a negative D-dimer can be discharged without further tests/imaging to work-up PE.
Bottom Line:
Wells’ criteria and D-dimer can be used to safely exclude PE in patients with a low pre-test probability and negative D-dimer."