Selective Use of D-Dimer for Suspected DVT Most Efficient
Results of a recently released study indicate that the selective use of D-dimer testing for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis based on pretest probability for the condition is safe and more efficient than testing all patients. The study compared patients presenting with symptoms of DVT who were randomly assigned to either uniform testing or selective testing. Selective testing consisted of performing D-dimer testing in patients with low or moderate clinical pretest probability for DVT or venous ultrasonography without D-dimer testing patients at high risk. Selective testing reduced the number of patients who were sent for ultrasonography and decreased the number of patients who required D-dimer testing. Incidence of venous thromboembolism was similar in both groups.
Read the full study here.
