Quantitative evaluation of computed tomography findings in patients with pulmonary embolism: the link between D-Dimer level and thrombus volume

ABSTRACT

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of D-dimer levels and computed tomography properties of pulmonary embolism. METHODS: A total of 58 treated patients with diagnosis of properties of pulmonary embolism were retrospectively studied. All patients underwent a D-dimer blood test. In computed tomography images, septal angle, interventricular septal thickness, and the diameters of all cardiac chambers and pulmonary arteries were measured. The thrombus volume (load) and density at all pulmonary arteries (main, right, left pulmonary arteries, and segmental arteries) were calculated. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between D-dimer and total thrombus volume (p=0.009, r=0.342). Total thrombus volume and total thrombus density were calculated with mean value of 23.40±60.63 ml and 66.16±38.48 hounsfield unit (HU), respectively. Right ventricle/left ventricle ratio showed positive correlation with the D-dimer level (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Increased D-dimer levels with RV/LV ratio and their correlation with total thrombus volume suggest that it may be a prognostic factor.