Background
Previous studies have suggested that normal results of D-dimer and alveolar dead space are highly predictive tools to determine pulmonary embolism in patients with acute dyspnea.
Objective
To assess the utility of a protocol to monitor the alveolar dead space fraction associated with D-dimer in the prediction of pulmonary embolism in patients with acute dyspnea.
Methods
A prospective study where a protocol was used to assess alveolar dead space and D-dimer in Q patients who presented to the emergency department with dyspnea. The enrollment was performed from September through October 2003.
Results
Seven (77.7%) patients were female and the mean age was 77.1 ± 13 years. Nine (100%) patients underwent Doppler ultrasonography of the venous lower extremities; four (44.4%) underwent CT scan of the thorax, three (33.3%) had high dead space alveolar fraction; six (66.6%) had a high D-dimer, and three (33.3%) had an ultimate diagnostic of pulmonary embolism.
Conclusion
A normal alveolar fraction of dead space and normal D-dimer were associated with low prevalence of pulmonary embolism in patients admitted to the emergency department with acute dyspnea.