Role of a quantitative D-dimer assay in determining the need for CT angiography of acute pulmonary embolism.

Objective: Our goal was to use the results of a quantitative D-dimer assay to determine the need for pulmonary CT angiography in patients suspected of having acute pulmonary embolism.

Materials And Methods: From July 2001 to December 2002, 755 patients underwent pulmonary CT angiography for the evaluation of acute pulmonary embolism. A rapid, fully automated quantitative D-dimer assay was obtained in more than half the patients.