Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40642447›Full record

ArticleHealth SA = SA Gesondheid2024

Pulmonary embolism diagnosis with D-dimer levels and computed tomography.

Rochelle A Kruger, Jeanetta du Plessis, Henra Muller

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Health SA = SA Gesondheid, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Rochelle A KrugerDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5745-890X
Jeanetta du PlessisDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2046-8466
Henra MullerDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1362-4299

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE), a common heart and blood vessel disease, causes complications such as haemodynamic instability and cardiovascular mortality. Timely diagnosis and treatment are imperative for managing this potentially life-threatening condition. Aim: The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between an elevated D-dimer level and a positive computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA), which could confirm PE in patients with chest pain and suspected PE. Setting: Data were collected at a private diagnostic radiology practice located in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from the Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS). Results: Of the sampled patients ( Conclusion: No strong relationship between elevated D-dimer levels in the blood and a positive yield of PE after CTPA; was found hence, clinical decision rules for PE workups need refining, especially to limit unnecessary CTPA referrals in this setting. Contribution: The findings suggest that PE workup at the private practice should be revised to improve the quality of service.

Indexed as

computed tomographycontrast mediumCOVID-19CT pulmonary angiographyD-dimer levelpulmonary embolismradiation dose

Identifiers

PMID40642447
PMCPMC12242041

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.