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Role of ELISA D‐dimer test in patients with unstable angina pectoris presenting at the emergency department with a normal electrocardiogram
Author(s) -
Shitrit David,
BarGil Shitrit Ariella,
Rudensky Bernard,
Sulkes Jaqueline,
Gutterer Natan,
Zviony Dan
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.20167
Subject(s) - medicine , unstable angina , emergency department , d dimer , myocardial infarction , cardiology , aspirin , acute coronary syndrome , angina , chest pain , cardiac catheterization , psychiatry
Patients with unstable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction have higher than normal D‐dimer levels. The aim of the study was to determine the value of the D‐dimer test in patients with unstable angina pectoris and a normal electrocardiogram on presentation at the emergency department. The study sample included 81 patients who met these criteria. Blood samples collected at admission were subjected to ELISA D‐dimer. Findings were correlated with coronary risk factors, use of cardiac medications, blood levels of acute phase reactants (fibrinogen and C‐reactive protein), cardiac enzymes levels, length of hospital stay, and catheterization findings. ELISA D‐dimer levels were statistically significantly correlated with cardiac risk factors, namely male sex, older age, smoking, and hypertension ( r = 0.25, P = 0.02; r = 0.43, P = 0.0001; r = 0.26, P = 0.03; r = 0.35, P = 0.002, respectively), in addition to use of cardiac medications (beta blockers, aspirin, nitrates), levels of acute phase reactants, length of stay, and catheterization findings. On multivariate analysis, only D‐dimer level, age, and sex were predictors of length of stay ( P = 0.018). The study suggests that D‐dimer levels at admission to the emergency department may serve as an additional tool to predict the magnitude of unstable angina pectoris in patients with a normal electrocardiogram. Am. J. Hematol. 77:147–150, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.