Investigating the Efficiency of D-Dimer Test in the Diagnosis of Aortic Dissection: a systematic and meta-analysis study

authors:

avatar Iraj Ahmadi 1 , avatar Samira Mis Qavam 2 , avatar Kourosh Sayehmiri 3 , avatar Mohamad Golitaleb 4 , avatar Hamed Tavan ORCID 5 , *

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IR Iran
Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IR Iran
School of Medicine, Psychosocial Injuries Research Center, Ilam University of Medical sciences, Ilam, IR Iran
Department of Nursing, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Ilam, IR Iran
Student Research Committee, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, IR Iran
International Cardiovascular Research Journal: Vol.12, issue 4; e67273
published online: December 15, 2018
article type: Research Article
received: December 03, 2018
accepted: October 27, 2018

how to cite: Ahmadi I, Qavam S M, Sayehmiri K, Golitaleb M, Tavan H. Investigating the Efficiency of D-Dimer Test in the Diagnosis of Aortic Dissection: a systematic and meta-analysis study. Int Cardiovasc Res J. 2018;12(4):e67273. 

Abstract

Abstract:
Background: Aortic dissection is a rare and important emergency condition, which usually involves a high mortality rate. Yet, early diagnosis of the disorder would increase the survival rate significantly.
Objectives: The present systematic study and meta-analysis aimed at investigating the efficiency of D-dimer test in diagnosis of aortic dissection.
Materials and Methods: The data used in this study were extracted from PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, Springer, and Willey databases. Specificity, D-dimer, Sensitivity, and Aortic Dissection were the valid keywords used to extract the related articles. Totally, 11 papers published during 1998 - 2007 were selected. I2 index was used to assess heterogeneity across the studies.
Results: A total of 596 subjects (averagely 54.5 ones in each study) were examined in the present research and 11 articles were entered into the final meta-analysis. According to the findings, the mean of the specificity test was 0.66 (0.54 - 0.78), with I2 index = 74.9% and p-value = 0.001. Additionally, the mean of the sensitivity test was 0.98 with I2 index = 606% and p-value = 0.381. Moreover, the mean D-dimer plasma level was 18.6 ug/mL in patients suffering from aortic dissection.
Conclusion: This study showed the high efficiency of D-dimer test in diagnosis of aortic dissection. Thus, physicians are recommended to apply this quick and inexpensive method when a final diagnosis has not been made yet. Early diagnosis of aortic dissection via D-dimer test would result in implementation of the necessary treatments, eventually leading to a significant decrease in mortality rate.

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References

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