DIAGNOSIS OF DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS BY USE OF SOLUBLE NECROSIS FACTOR-RECEPTOR

The purpose of this clinical study was to find a relationship between soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor, deep venous thrombosis ( DVT), and pulmonary emboli (PE). Clinical diagnosis of deep venous thr ombosis and pulmonary emboli is a major dilemma for the clinician. Mos t existing tests are technician dependent, are expensive, or require s ophisticated equipment. Advances in molecular biology will permit inve stigation of the value of TNF receptor as a test for screening, diagno sis, and evolution of DVT and PE. Forty patients with diagnosis of DVT , documented: by real-time ultrasound imaging, were the subject of thi s clinical study. Five cc of plasma from each patient was studied by e nzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) for measurement of soluble TN F receptor. Significantly increased concentration of plasma-soluble TN F receptor was present in patients with DVT as opposed to normal indiv iduals. The-re was a close relationship between plasma concentration o f soluble TNF receptor and evaluation of the disease. In this prelimin ary clinical study, it appears that plasma measurement of soluble TNF receptor could be used as a clinical;test for diagnosis of DVT and PE.