NEWLY DEVELOPED BED-SIDE TEST (SIMPLIRED( R)) IN THE DIAGNOSTICS OF DEEP-VEIN THROMBOSIS

Newly developed bed-side test (SimpliRED(R)) in the diagnostics of dee p vein thrombosis. Purpose: Evaluation of sensitivity and specificity of a bed-side test in the diagnosis of deep-vein thrombosis compared t o contrast phlebography. Methods: 122 patients, referred for phlebogra phy, underwent bedside testing (SimpliRED(R)) for detection of deep Ve in thrombosis. Contrast phlebography was confirmed immediately afterwa rds. SimpliRED(R) provides a clearly visible agglutination of the pati ent's red blood cells in the presence of elevated levels of crosslinke d fibrin derivatives (D-dimer) in the sample, being specific for fibri n breakdown. Results: In 37 (30.3%) patients deep vein thrombosis coul d be confirmed. An abnormal D-dimer test was found in 35 of the 37 pat ients with thrombosis (sensitivity: 94.6%). Two patients who had not b een identified by agglutinin testing, showed an isolated calf thrombos is in small muscle veins (<2 cm in diameter) not requiring treatment. 55 of 85 patients without thrombosis in phlebography were stated corre ctly by SimpliRED(R) (specificity: 64.7%). Conclusion: All thrombotic disorders in the leg with the need for further treatment were identifi ed correctly. SimpliRED(R) is a very sensitive test with moderate spec ificity in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. Therefore, further i nvasive testing is needed only in such patients where the D-dimer test is abnormal. A false positive result of the bed-side test may be non- specific or due to elevated levels of fibrin split products, if the co agulation system is activated in several other conditions.