EVALUATION OF 2 D-DIMER ASSAYS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM

A qualitative (Instantia(R)) and a quantitative (VIDAS D-Dimer(R)) D-D imer test have been evaluated and compared with an ELISA method (Asser achrom D-D(R)) in a population of 74 patients suspected of presenting a deep vein thrombosis. Among the thirty-two patients presenting a dee p vein thrombosis on phlebography, there were 16 (50%) proximal vein t hrombosis and 16 (50%) distal vein thrombosis. Sensitivity and negativ e predictive value for proximal thrombosis were 100% in all three test s. For distal vein thrombosis, sensitivity and negative predictive val ue were respectively 81% and 81% for Asserachrom D-DI(R) 75% and 76% f or VIDAS D-Dimer(R) and 63% and 82% for Instantia(R). In conclusion, t his study shows that these D-Di assays are a useful tool to exclude pr oximal vein thrombosis, at least for patients who are not under antico agulant therapy.