VALUE OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAM, WELLS SCORE, D-DIMER IN DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY EMBOLISM

Le Trong Tuong Huynh 1, Thanh Phong Pham 1, Dieu Hien Tran 1, Hoang Toan Ngo 2,
1 Can Tho Central General Hospital
2 Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Main Article Content

Abstract

Background: Electrocardiogram is one of the preliminary laboratory tests in the diagnostic approach, which can help detect or exclude pulmonary embolism. Objectives: To elevate the value of electrocardiogram and coordinate with Wells score, D-dimer in diagnosing pulmonary embolism. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study on 97 patients with suspected pulmonary embolisms admitted to the Cardiology Department of Can Tho Central General Hospital from January 2020 to December 2021. Results: In our study on 97 patients with suspected pulmonary embolism, 67 (64.9%) patients were diagnosed with pulmonary embolism through computed tomography of the pulmonary artery with contrast. Electrocardiogram factors such as S1Q3, S1Q3T3, and right ventricular hypertrophy were significant in diagnosing pulmonary embolism with p< 0.05. The sensitivity was relatively low, but the specificity was quite high (81.825%-94.455%) in interpreting pulmonary embolism. When analyzing multivariable regression, S1Q3T3 in echocardiogram, Wells score ≥4, and D-dimer cut-off point ≥500 correlated with pulmonary embolism's diagnostic significance. Conclusion: Electrocardiogram had high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing pulmonary embolism and higher diagnostic value when combined with the Wells score and D-dimer.

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References

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