Diagnostic Blood Biomarkers for Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Systematic Review
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https://hdl.handle.net/10037/31738Date
2023-07-06Type
Journal articleTidsskriftartikkel
Peer reviewed
Author
Wikan, Vårin Eiriksdatter; Tøndel, Birgitte Gladsø; Morelli, Vania Maris; Brodin, Ellen Elisabeth; Brækkan, Sigrid Kufaas; Hansen, John BjarneAbstract
(1) Background: The current diagnostic algorithm for acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is
associated with the overuse of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA). An additional highly specific
blood test could potentially lower the proportion of patients with suspected PE that require CTPA. The
aim was to summarize the literature on the diagnostic performance of biomarkers of patients admitted
to an emergency department with suspected acute PE. (2) Methods: Medline and Embase databases
were searched from 1995 to the present. The study selection process, data extraction, and risk of
bias assessment were conducted by two reviewers. Eligibility criteria accepted all blood biomarkers
except D-dimer, and CTPA was used as the reference standard. Qualitative data synthesis was
performed. (3) Results: Of the 8448 identified records, only 6 were included. Eight blood biomarkers
were identified, of which, three were investigated in two separate studies. Red distribution width
and mean platelet volume were reported to have a specificity of ≥ 90% in one study, although these
findings were not confirmed by other studies. The majority of the studies contained a high risk of
selection bias. (4) Conclusions: The modest findings and the uncertain validity of the included studies
suggest that none of the biomarkers identified in this systematic review have the potential to improve
the current diagnostic algorithm for acute PE by reducing the overuse of CTPA.
Publisher
MDPICitation
Wikan, Tøndel, Morelli, Brodin, Brækkan, Hansen. Diagnostic Blood Biomarkers for Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Systematic Review. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023;13(13)Metadata
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