Thromb Haemost 1999; 81(01): 50-53
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1614417
Review Article
Schattauer GmbH

Performance of a New Fibrin Monomer Assay to Exclude Deep Vein Thrombosis in Symptomatic Outpatients

Christoph Caliezi
,
Nadja Fünfsinn
,
Thomas Mauron
,
Iris Baumgartner
1   From the Central Hematology Laboratory and Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Switzerland
,
Irmela Sulzer
,
Martin Ulrich
2   University Hospital, Inselspital Bern, and Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Switzerland
,
Christoph Cottier
3   Regionalspital Biel and Department of Internal Medicine, Regionalspital Burgdorf, Switzerland
,
Franziska Demarmels Biasiutti
,
Bernhard Lämmle
,
Walter A. Wuillemin
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received02 June 1998

Accepted after resubmission01 October 1998

Publication Date:
08 December 2017 (online)

Summary

In this study we prospectively assessed the reliability of a new fibrin monomer assay in 106 outpatients with clinically suspected deep venous thrombosis of the lower limb. According to the results of the objective tests and using different cut-off points we calculated the sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value of the fibrin monomer assay. The prevalence of deep vein thrombosis was 44.3% (31.1% proximal, 13.2% distal). Using a cut-off level of plasma fibrin monomer of 3.5 μg/ml, a sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value of 100% (95% CI: 94-100%), 35.6% (95% CI: 23-48%) and 100% (95% CI: 86-100%), respectively, were obtained. The exclusion rate was 19.8% (95% CI: 12-27%) of all referred patients. These accuracy indices compared favourably with the respective results of a routine D-dimer ELISA used for comparison. Conclusion: This new fibrin monomer assay appears to be a reliable method for the exclusion of deep vein thrombosis in symptomatic outpatients.

 
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