DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF D-DIMER TEST IN DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS

Methods: 150 patients (109 women and 41 men) admitted between January 1999 and December 2002 to our outpatient clinic due to DVT was included in this study. According to the Wells score, the patients were divided in three groups: low probability DVT patients in group I, moderate probability DVT patients in group II and high probability DVT patients in group III. DD (Latex) test and color Doppler ultrasonography (USG) were applied to all patients.

Results: All of DD test and color Doppler USG data were evaluated statistically. Negative predictive value (NPD) was calculated as 97,7% (95% CI_ = 87,7%-99,9%) in group I; 93% (95% CI = 80,9%-98,5%) in group II and 75% (95% CI = 19,4%-99,4%) in group III.

Conclusion: According to our series, we decided that negative DD test is reliable to stop the usage of more diagnostic method in low probability DVT patients; but in moderate and high probability DVT patients group, color Doppler USG should be used regardless. (Turkish J Vasc Surg 2003;12(2): 1-4)