It is unknown whether strategies validated for diagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) are valid in patients with a history of PE. It was the objective of this study to investigate whether a diagnostic algorithm consisting of sequential application of a clinical decision rule (CDR), a quantitative D-dimer test and computed tomography (CT) safely ruled out a clinical suspicion of acute recurrent PE. Data were obtained from a diagnostic outcome study of patients suspected of PE. Acute recurrent PE was ruled out by an unlikely probability of PE (CDR score ≤4 points) combined with a normal D-dimer test (≤500 ng/ml) or by a normal CT in all other patients. The primary outcome was the incidence of acute recurrent venous thromboembolism during three months of follow-up in patients with normal tests and not treated with anticoagulants. Of 3,306 patients suspected of acute PE, 259 patients (7.8%) had a history of PE of whom 234 were not treated with anticoagulants. The probability of PE was unlikely in 82 of 234 patients (35%), and 42 had a normal D-dimer test (18%), excluding recurrent PE. None of these patients had a thrombotic event during follow-up (0%, 95%Cl: 0-6.9). A CT was indicated in all other patients (192) and ruled out recurrent PE in 127 patients (54%). Only one patient with a negative CT had a fatal recurrent PE during follow-up (0.8%; 95%Cl: 0.02-4.3). In conclusion, this prospective study demonstrates the safety of ruling out a clinical suspicion of acute recurrent PE by a simple diagnostic algorithm in patients with a history of PE.

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doi.org/10.1160/TH06-11-0635, hdl.handle.net/1765/36087
Thrombosis and Haemostasis: international journal for vascular biology and medicine
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Nijkeuter, M., Kwakkel-van Erp, H., Söhne, M., Tick, L., Kruip, M., Ullmann, E., … Huisman, M. (2007). Clinically suspected acute recurrent pulmonary embolism: A diagnostic challenge. Thrombosis and Haemostasis: international journal for vascular biology and medicine, 97(6), 944–948. doi:10.1160/TH06-11-0635