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. 2004 Nov;21(6):663–666. doi: 10.1136/emj.2003.011049

Evaluation of the Simplify D-dimer assay as a screening test for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in an emergency department

D Neale 1, C Tovey 1, A Vali 1, S Davies 1, K Myers 1, M Obiako 1, V Ramkumar 1, A Hafiz 1
PMCID: PMC1726495  PMID: 15496688

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the use in an emergency department of a new D-dimer assay (Simplify D-dimer) as a screening test for deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Methods: 187 outpatients with clinical features suspicious of acute DVT were entered into this study. A Simplify D-dimer test was performed in the emergency department on all patients. A SimpliRED D-dimer test and a semi-automated latex agglutination assay (Auto-D-dimer 700 on a Thromboscreen 400C analyser) were performed in the haematology laboratory. All patients were investigated with contrast venography to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of DVT.

Results: The Simplify test had a sensitivity of 94.1% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 94.8%. These results compared favourably with the SimpliRED test (sensitivity 74.5%, NPV 89.7%) and the latex agglutination assay (sensitivity 90.2%, NPV 92.2%). This increased sensitivity was at the cost of a lower specificity, the specificity of the three D-dimer tests being Simplify 40.4%, SimpliRED 83.1%, and latex agglutination 43.4%.

Conclusions: Simplify proved to be a rapid and easy to use test and may be useful for use in the emergency department as part of a diagnostic algorithm for deep vein thrombosis. Further larger scale studies are needed.

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Selected References

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