COVID-19 infection and risk stratification for pulmonary embolism: Identifying optimal D-dimer thresholds

Elevated D-dimer values in patients with COVID-19 infection are a predictor of disease severity, mortality, and venous thromboembolism (VTE) [1,2]. Patients typically present with symptoms that overlap with symptoms of pulmonary emboli (PE) and the associated elevation of the D-dimer as a component of the inflammatory state raises unanswered questions regarding the diagnostic utility of D-dimer testing [3]. COVID-19 infection is a risk factor for PE and PE-related mortality [4], yet risk stratification tools such as the Wells', PERC, and Geneva risk scores have not been well-validated in this population [5].
Source: Thrombosis Research - Category: Hematology Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editors-in-Chief Source Type: research