Utilization of D-dimer assay, CT angiography, and the incidence of pulmonary embolism in the hospital district of Helsinki and Uusimaa (2011–2017)

Pulmonary embolism

“…D-dimer levels increase with age, therefore the conventional D-dimer threshold of 500 ng/mL has a diagnostic specificity of less than 25% in patients over 70 63. As a result, in some settings, D-dimer utilisation is low despite clinical algorithms and Choosing Wisely recommendations endorsing its use to avoid unnecessary CT scans 646566. Several new D-dimer strategies improve test specificity and may improve use of D-dimer screening.…”