| Title: | D-Dimer Levels and PE detection in Covid 19 patients admitted to Tallaght University Hospital. |
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| Author(s): | MR Kelly, R Trueick, P Donovan, MK Rana, M Kooblall, E Moloney, S Lane |
| Institution: | Tallaght University Hospital |
| Poster: | Click to view poster |
| Category: | COVID 19 |
| Abstract: | Studies have linked COVID 19 with increased risk of venous thromboembolism including pulmonary embolism. Abnormalities in coagulation profile including elevated d-dimer are a feature of early disease. In this study we examined the number of COVID 19 patients with elevated d-dimer and the outcome of CTPA, if done. Data was collected retrospectively using HIPE records for patients admitted to Tallaght University Hospital from of January to June 2021. Inclusion criteria was any patient over age 17 with COVID 19 infection listed as a diagnosis on discharge. Our review included total of 510 patients with COVID 19 infection. Of these, 390 (76%) had elevated d-dimer (>0.42 ug/ml). 75 (15%) never had a d-dimer level checked and 45 (9%) had normal d-dimer levels. In total 258 (50%) patients underwent CTPA during the course of their admission, 36 of these were positive for PE. Of the patients who had elevated d-dimers, 9% were diagnosed with PE. Overall, although the majority of patients with COVID 19 will have elevated d-dimers, it remains reasonable to proceed to CTPA if there is clinical suspicion. |
