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Biciusca T, Gruenewald LD, Martin SS, Gotta J, Mahmoudi S, Eichler K, Booz C, Salbach C, Müller-Hennessen M, Biener M, Yildirim M, Milles B, Sommer CM, Vogl TJ, Giannitsis E, Koch V. Optimizing resource allocation: Cost-effectiveness of specified D-dimer cut-offs in cancer patients with suspected venous thromboembolism. J Thromb Thrombolysis 2024; 57:996-1007. [PMID: 38762707 DOI: 10.1007/s11239-024-03000-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
An accurate diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is crucial, given the potential for high mortality in undetected cases. Strategic D-dimer testing may aid in identifying low-risk patients, preventing overdiagnosis and reducing imaging costs. We conducted a retrospective, comparative analysis to assess the potential cost savings that could be achieved by adopting different approaches to determine the most effective D-dimer cut-off value in cancer patients with suspected VTE, compared to the commonly used rule-out cut-off level of 0.5 mg/L. The study included 526 patients (median age 65, IQR 55-75) with a confirmed cancer diagnosis who underwent D-dimer testing. Among these patients, the VTE prevalence was 29% (n = 152). Each diagnostic strategy's sensitivity, specificity, negative likelihood ratio (NLR), as well as positive likelihood ratio (PLR), and the proportion of patients exhibiting a negative D-dimer test result, were calculated. The diagnostic strategy that demonstrated the best balance between specificity, sensitivity, NLR, and PLR, utilized an inverse age-specific cut-off level for D-dimer [0.5 + (66-age) × 0.01 mg/L]. This method yielded a PLR of 2.9 at a very low NLR for the exclusion of VTE. We observed a significant cost reduction of 4.6% and 1.0% for PE and DVT, respectively. The utilization of an age-adjusted cut-off [patient's age × 0.01 mg/L] resulted in the highest cost savings, reaching 8.1% for PE and 3.4% for DVT. Using specified D-dimer cut-offs in the diagnosis of VTE could improve economics, considering the limited occurrence of confirmed cases among patients with suspected VTE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodora Biciusca
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany.
| | - Leon D Gruenewald
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Simon S Martin
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Jennifer Gotta
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Scherwin Mahmoudi
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Katrin Eichler
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Christian Booz
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Christian Salbach
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Pulmonology, University of Heidelberg, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Müller-Hennessen
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Pulmonology, University of Heidelberg, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Moritz Biener
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Pulmonology, University of Heidelberg, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mustafa Yildirim
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Pulmonology, University of Heidelberg, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Barbara Milles
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Pulmonology, University of Heidelberg, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christof M Sommer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Heidelberg, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas J Vogl
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Evangelos Giannitsis
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Pulmonology, University of Heidelberg, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vitali Koch
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology, and Pulmonology, University of Heidelberg, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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Hao W, Liu X, Feng J, Qian Y, An S, Tian Y, Quan W, Sun J, Wei Y, Zhang X, Jiang R. Age-adjusted D-Dimer Thresholds Combined with the Modified Wells Score as a Predictor of Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 2023; 29:10760296231221141. [PMID: 38099820 PMCID: PMC10725659 DOI: 10.1177/10760296231221141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurosurgical patients are at an increased risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), which, if not properly managed, can lead to pulmonary embolism. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of age-adjusted D-dimer thresholds combined with the modified Wells score as a predictor for lower extremity DVT diagnosis. METHODS We conducted a study among patients aged >50 years with suspected lower extremity DVT in the neurosurgery intensive care unit between December 2019 and December 2020. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to examine the diagnostic capacity of age-adjusted D-dimer combined with the modified Wells score. RESULTS A total of 233 participants, with an average age of 71.81 ± 12.59 years, were enrolled in the study. The mean D-dimer levels were 0.73 ± 0.39 mg/L. Among the participants, 57 (57.9%, 33 males) were diagnosed with DVT. The age-adjusted D-dimer combined with the modified Wells score had the highest area under the curve for diagnosing lower extremity DVT compared to D-dimer and age-adjusted D-dimer alone, with an AUC of 0.858. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the age-adjusted D-dimer combined with the modified Wells score for DVT diagnosis were 78.95%, 80.68%, 57%, 92.2%, and 80.26%, respectively. When analyzing subgroups, the accuracy was 79.55% for participants with cerebral hemorrhage, 81.69% for those with craniocerebral injury, 74.99% for participants with intracranial infection, and 88.89% for those with craniocerebral tumor. CONCLUSION The combination of the age-adjusted D-dimer thresholds with the modified Wells score might effectively predict lower extremity DVT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Hao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ordos Central Hospital, Ordos, China
| | - Xuanhui Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury, Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiancheng Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury, Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Qian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury, Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuo An
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury, Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Ye Tian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury, Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Quan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury, Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Jian Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury, Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Yingsheng Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury, Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinjie Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury, Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Rongcai Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury, Neuro-repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, Tianjin, China
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Ellis JE, Johnston TW, Craig D, Scribner A, Simon W, Kirstein J. Performance Evaluation of the Quantitative Point-of-Care LumiraDx D-Dimer Test. Cardiol Ther 2021; 10:547-559. [PMID: 34618321 PMCID: PMC8496146 DOI: 10.1007/s40119-021-00241-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fibrin degradation product D-dimer can be a valuable indicator for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The use of D-dimer testing in primary care settings can be limited by restricted access to laboratory services. This performance evaluation compares a quantitative, point-of-care (POC) D-dimer assay (LumiraDx D-Dimer Test) with a reference laboratory-based D-dimer assay. METHODS Plasma samples from patients presenting to secondary care in the UK, USA, and Germany were analyzed centrally using the LumiraDx D-Dimer Test and the reference test (bioMérieux VIDAS D-Dimer Exclusion II immunoassay). Method comparison used Passing-Bablok regression analysis with pre-specified equivalence criteria of r ≥ 0.9 and slope of 0.9-1.1. The NOVEL-3 study (NCT04375982) compared equivalency of fingerstick, venous blood (VB), and plasma samples from the same patient, tested at US primary care clinics next to the patient using the POC LumiraDx D-Dimer device. Measurements obtained from fingerstick and VB samples were compared with results from plasma samples, using Deming regression. The healthy reference range was determined using plasma samples of healthy volunteers, collected by commercial suppliers in Germany and the USA, which were analyzed centrally using the LumiraDx D-Dimer Test and the reference test. RESULTS The LumiraDx D-Dimer Test demonstrated agreement with the bioMérieux VIDAS D-Dimer Exclusion II immunoassay for plasma samples (r = 0.923, slope of 1.016, n = 1767). There was good agreement between fingerstick/VB samples and plasma samples (r = 0.980-0.986, n = 93) measured using the LumiraDx D-Dimer Test. Overall error rates were 1.8%. The healthy reference range 90% percentile for D-dimer was calculated as 533 µg/l fibrinogen equivalent units (FEU). CONCLUSIONS The quantitative LumiraDx D-Dimer Test is easy to use and can accurately measure D-dimer levels in a range of blood sample types, including fingerstick samples, which could improve assessment of VTE cases in community and hospital near-patient settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayne E Ellis
- LumiraDx, Stirling, UK. .,LumiraDx Ltd, 3 More London Riverside, London, SE1 2AQ, UK.
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Hannula O, Mustonen A, Rautiainen S, Vanninen R, Hyppölä H. Cost-minimization modeling of venous thromboembolism diagnostics: performing limited compression ultrasound in primary health care reduces costs compared to referring patients to a hospital. Ultrasound J 2021; 13:26. [PMID: 34046805 PMCID: PMC8160047 DOI: 10.1186/s13089-021-00227-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether diagnosing a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in primary health care using limited compression ultrasound (LCUS) can save resources compared to referring these patients to hospital. According to the current literature, LCUS is as safe as a standard protocol based on a whole-leg ultrasound (US). Methods We created a standardized patient for this cost-analysis model based on 76 patients that were referred to hospital for a suspected DVT. Travel distance to the health care centre and hospital was calculated based on the home address. Hospital costs were acquired from the hospital price list and Finnish legislation. Time spent in the hospital was retrieved from hospital statistics. Time spent in the health care centre and travelling were estimated and monetized based on average salary. The cost of participating physicians attending a US training course was estimated based on the national average salary of a general practitioner as well as the course participation fee. A cost-minimization modeling was performed for this standardized patient comparing the total costs, including private and public costs, of standard and LCUS strategies. Results The total costs per patient of standard and LCUS pathways were 1151.52€ and 301.94€ [difference 849.59€ (95% CI 800.21€–898.97€, p < 0.001)], respectively. The real-life costs of these strategies, considering that some patients are probably referred to hospital every year and including training costs, are 1151.53€ and 508.69€ [difference 642.84€ (95% CI 541.85€–743.82€)], respectively. Conclusion Using LCUS in diagnosing DVT in primary health care instead of referring these patients to the hospital is shown to save a significant amount of public and private resources. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13089-021-00227-5.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Suvi Rautiainen
- University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.,Pihlajalinna Medical Centre Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ritva Vanninen
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Harri Hyppölä
- Emergency Department, South Savo Central Hospital, Mikkeli, Finland
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De Pooter N, Brionne-François M, Smahi M, Abecassis L, Toulon P. Age-adjusted D-dimer cut-off levels to rule out venous thromboembolism in patients with non-high pre-test probability: Clinical performance and cost-effectiveness analysis. J Thromb Haemost 2021; 19:1271-1282. [PMID: 33638267 DOI: 10.1111/jth.15278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As aging was found to be associated with increased D-dimer levels, the question arose whether D-dimer measurement was useful in the diagnostic strategy of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in elderly patients. AIM OF THE STUDY To compare retrospectively the performance of six diagnostic strategies based on the three-level Wells scores and various cut-off levels for D-dimer, evaluated using the HemosIL D-Dimer HS 500 assay, in a derivation cohort of 644 outpatients with non-high pretest probability (PTP) of VTE. The clinical usefulness of the best-performing strategy was then confirmed in a multicenter validation study involving 1255 consecutive outpatients with non-high PTP. RESULTS The diagnostic strategy based on the age-adjusted cut-off level calculated by multiplying the patient's age by 10 above 50 years was found to perform the best in the derivation study with a better sensitivity-to-specificity ratio than the conventional strategy based on the fixed cut-off level (500 ng/ml), a higher specificity and a negative predictive value (NPV) above 99%. Such an increase in test specificity was confirmed in the validation cohort, with the NPV remaining above 99%. Taking into account the local reimbursement rates of diagnostic tests, using this strategy led to a 6.9% reduction of diagnostic costs for pulmonary embolism and a 5.1% reduction for deep vein thrombosis, as imaging tests would be avoided in a higher percentage of patients. CONCLUSION The diagnostic strategy of VTE based on the age-adjusted cut-off level for D-dimer in patients over 50 years was found to be safe, with NPV above 99%, and cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neila De Pooter
- Hematology Laboratory, Emile Müller Regional Hospital, Mulhouse, France
- Hematology Laboratory, Grasse Hospital, Grasse, France
| | | | - Motalib Smahi
- Hematology Laboratory, Simone Veil Hospital, Eaubonne, France
| | - Lien Abecassis
- Hematology Laboratory, Jean Verdier Hospital, Aulnay-sous-Bois, France
| | - Pierre Toulon
- Hematology Department, Côte d'Azur University, Pasteur University Hospital, Nice, France
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Slattengren AH, Prasad S, Bury D, Dickman M, Bennett N, Smith A, Oh R, Marshall R. PURL: A better approach to the diagnosis of PE. THE JOURNAL OF FAMILY PRACTICE 2019; 68:286-295. [PMID: 31287445 PMCID: PMC6620031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A simple diagnostic algorithm is all that's needed to safely and effectively reduce our reliance on CT pulmonary angiography to diagnose PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew H Slattengren
- North Memorial Family Medicine Residency, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Shailendra Prasad
- North Memorial Family Medicine Residency, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - David Bury
- Madigan Family Medicine Residency, Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
| | - Michael Dickman
- Madigan Family Medicine Residency, Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
| | - Nick Bennett
- Madigan Family Medicine Residency, Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
| | - Ashley Smith
- Madigan Family Medicine Residency, Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
| | - Robert Oh
- Madigan Family Medicine Residency, Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
| | - Robert Marshall
- Madigan Family Medicine Residency, Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
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