Introduction
Background
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and potentially life-threatening disorder. Because symptoms and signs are nonspecific, the diagnosis of PE in the emergency department (ED) still poses difficulties
Importance
None of the available laboratory tests are capable of reliably excluding the diagnosis, and the clinician therefore has to rely on such diagnostic techniques as lung scintigraphy, spiral computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (s-CTPA) or pulmonary angiography
Under acute ischemic conditions, the metal binding capacity of albumin to transition metals such as copper, nickel and cobalt is reduced, generating a metabolic variant of the protein generally referred to as ischemia modified albumin (IMA)
Objectives
The primary aim of our study was to investigate whether IMA levels are a useful marker that can be used in the diagnosis of PE, the secondary aim being to determine whether IMA alone or in combination with clinical probability scores can be used as an alternative to D-dimer as a laboratory marker in the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected PE.
Materials and methods
Study design
This study is a primary analysis of data collected during a prospective, observational study at a tertiary care center.
Setting
The setting was the ED of Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine in the city of Trabzon in Turkey. Some 20,000 patients present to the ED annually.
Selection of participants
The protocol for the study was approved by the hospital's local ethical committee. Patients were included in the study if the emergency physician suspected PE. One hundred forty-seven consecutive patients presenting to the ED with suspected PE from April, 2006, to April, 2007, were prospectively recruited for the study. Additionally, fifty-seven healthy volunteers served as a reference for biochemical parameters.
Exclusion criteria were: (i) other acute ischemic diseases newly diagnosed during the ED visit in question, such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS), acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease, acute peripheral arterial occlusion, or acute mesenteric ischemia; (ii) an abnormal serum albumin level making the determination of IMA levels impossible (normal level 3,5–5,5 mg/dl); (iii) advanced liver, kidney or heart failure; (iv) troponin-T and ECG testing was performed for evidence of asymptomatic coronary ischemia; (v) age <18 years; (vi) allergy to contrast material and (vii) refusal to participate in the study. The exclusion criteria applied during the enrolment of the control-healthy group were the same as those for the patient group. Patients were observed until discharged from the hospital or until death.
Data collection and processing
Emergency physicians completed a questionnaire consisting of details of the patient's medical history (such as risk factors). Physical examination, chest X-ray and ECG, IMA, D-dimer and arterial blood analysis were performed for all patients, and both the simplified Well's and the Geneva scores were calculated before tomographic examination
Spiral-CTPA was performed on all patients who had no exclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups according to the s-CTPA results, Group A, the PE group, and Group B, the non-PE group. The healthy control group was classified as Group C. s-CTPA was not performed in Group C although blood analysis for IMA and D-dimer was carried out.
Methods of measurement
IMA measurement
Blood samples were taken from the brachial vein at time of presentation. Reduced cobalt to albumin binding capacity (IMA level) was analyzed using the rapid and colorimetric method developed by Bar-Or et al.
D-dimer measurement
D-dimer was assayed using the quantitative, immuno-tubidimetric STA-Liatest D-dimer kit assay from Diagnostica Stago, Asnieres, France, which was run on an automatic coagulation analyzer (STA-compact, Diagnostica Stago) in a routine setting.
CT imaging and images interpretation
All patients underwent s-CTPA within 12 hours of selective pulmonary angiography using a 16 detector spiral CT scanner (Siemens Somatom Sensatio, Germany). CT scans were reviewed by radiologists experienced in analyzing s-CTPA. The radiologists were blinded to the results of the D-dimer and IMA testing. The s-CTPA criteria used to diagnose PE consisted of direct visualization of non-occlusive endoluminal thrombus (central filling defect or partially outlined by contrast agent) or of complete occlusion by thrombus in normal-sized or enlarged vessels.
Primary data analysis
Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 13.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). For the IMA and D-dimer, the test characteristics, sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values were calculated according to the s-CT results. The area beneath the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves was used to compare the discriminative power of the IMA and D-dimer tests in the diagnosis or ruling out of PE. The compatibility of the data with normal distribution was investigated using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance (Mann-Whitney U-test with post-hoc Bonferroni correction) was used to compare IMA and D-dimer among the groups. Statistical significance was assumed at a level of P < 0.05.
Results
Characteristics of study subjects
A total of 147 patients with suspected PE and 59 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. Seventeen patients were excluded because of predefined criteria: ACS (n = 7), acute ischemic cerebrovascular disorder (n = 1), paradoxical embolism (n = 1), advanced renal insufficiency (n = 3), advanced congestive heart failure (n = 1), peripheral arterial occlusion (n = 3), sepsis (n = 1).
All the 130 remaining suspected PE patients underwent s-CTPA at the time of admission. Patients were divided into two groups, Group A, the PE group (n = 75), and Group B, the non-PE group (n = 55), according to the s-CTPA results. The healthy control group was classified as Group C (n = 59). Our diagnostic work-up is presented in Figure
Our diagnostic work-up in suspected PE patients
Our diagnostic work-up in suspected PE patients.
The baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of Groups A, B and C are given in Table
Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the study population.
Group A (n = 87, 46%)
Group B (n = 43, 22,8%)
Group C (n = 59,31,2%)
Mean Age ± SD (years)
68.37 ± 11.55
67.30 ± 14.94
62.42 ± 10.46
Sex
n
%
n
%
n
%
Female
53
60.9
20
46.5
29
49.1
Male
34
39.1
23
53.5
30
50.9
Symptoms
n
%
n
%
Cough
27
31.0
14
32.6
Chest pain
42
48.3
17
39.5
Dyspnea
77
88.5
35
81.4
Hemoptysis
8
9.2
4
9.3
Syncope
18
20.7
5
11.6
Symptoms of DVT
7
8.0
1
2.3
Asymptomatic
3
3.4
1
2.3
Clinical signs
Mean ± SD
Mean ± SD
Heart rate
104.74 ± 23.56
103.88 ± 23.02
Respiratory rate
27.53 ± 6.26
25.65 ± 7.77
Fever
36.75 ± 0.79
36.92 ± 0.78
Systolic BP
113.39 ± 35.57
122.86 ± 28.99
Diastolic BP
72.44 ± 19.88
75.63 ± 17.85
Chest X-ray signs
n
%
n
%
Pleural effusion
28
32.2
21
48.8
Atalectasis
26
29.9
11
25.6
Diaphragm elevation
26
29,8
11
25.6
Hampton's sign
4
4.6
0
Westermach sign
1
1.1
0
Pulmonary artery dilatation
10
11.5
2
4.7
ECG signs
n
%
n
%
S1Q3T3
16
18.4
1
2.3
Sinusal tachycardia
42
48.3
18
41.9
Atrial fibrillation
14
16.1
8
18.6
T negativity
9
10.3
3
7.0
RBBB
2
2.3
0
Risk factors for VTE
n
%
n
%
Previous DVT
11
12.64
2
4.65
Previous PE
4
4.59
1
2.32
Varicose veins
8
9.19
2
4.65
Chronic venous insuffficiency
7
8.04
1
2.32
Previous stroke
12
13.79
4
9.30
COPD
18
20.68
13
30.23
CHF
27
31.03
20
46.51
Cancer
9
10.34
2
4.65
Recent surgery
22
25.28
3
6.97
Recent trauma
8
9.19
1
2.32
Immobilization
57
65.51
21
48.83
Pregnancy
2
2.29
1
2.32
Post-partum period
0
1
2.32
Obesity
10
11.49
0
Long bone fracture
5
5.74
0
Main results
The serum IMA and D-dimer levels of the groups are shown in Table
The serum IMA and D-dimer levels of the groups.
Group A
Group B
Group C
P value
IMA levels (ABSU) ± SD
0.362 ± 0.11
0.265 ± 0.07
0.175 ± 0.05
0.0001
D-dimer levels (μg/ml) ± SD
12.48 ± 10.88
5.36 ± 7.80
0.36 ± 0.16
0.0001
The D-dimer vs IMA levels were determined to be statistically different to one another in all groups (p < 0.0001) The highest IMA and D-dimer levels were determined in Group A patients, while there was also a statistically significant difference between the levels in Groups B and C (p < 0.0001). The receiver operating characteristic curve of IMA and D-dimer for diagnosis of PE at admission is shown in Figure
Receiver operating characteristics of ischemia modified albumin levels
Receiver operating characteristics of ischemia modified albumin levels.
Receiver operating characteristics of D-dimer levels
Receiver operating characteristics of D-dimer levels.
The area under the curve for IMA was 0.889 (bootstrap 95% Cl, 0,842–0,936). The optimum diagnostic cut-off point maximizing sensitivity and specificity was determined to be 0.25 ABSU, with a sensitivity of 93.1% and a specificity of 75.5%. The corresponding PPV and NPV levels were 79.4% and 78.6%, respectively. The area under the curve for D-dimer was 0.893 (bootstrap 95% Cl, 0,845–0,941). The optimum diagnostic cut-off point maximizing sensitivity and specificity was determined to be 0.81 (μg/ml), with a sensitivity of 98.9% and a specificity of 62.7%. The corresponding PPV and NPV levels were 69.4% and 83.3%, respectively.
The scattergram of the serum IMA and D-dimer values in all groups is shown in Figure
Scattergram of the serum IMA levels in all groups
Scattergram of the serum IMA levels in all groups.
Scattergram of the serum D-dimer levels in all groups
Scattergram of the serum D-dimer levels in all groups.
Predictive values of negative IMA (<0.25 ABSU), negative D-dimer (<0.81 μg/ml), CRP ≤ 0.59 mg/dl, Sa02 ≥ 90%, respiratory rate ≤ 20/mi, heart rate ≤ 100/min and PH<7.45, alone and in combination for excluding PE diagnosed on the basis of s-CTPA, are shown in Table
Predictive value of negative IMA (<0.25 ABSU), negative D-dimer (<0.81 μg/ml), CRP ≤ 0.59 mg/dl, Sa02 ≥ 90%, respiratory rate ≤ 20/min, heart rate ≤ 100/min and PH<7.45, alone and in combination for excluding PE diagnosed on the basis of s-CTPA.
Observation
Correct exclusion
Negative predictive value
Negative IMA (<0.25 ABSU)
22/28
0.786
Negative D-dimer (<0.81 μg/ml)
5/6
0.883
Negative CRP (<0.59 mg/dl)
6/11
0.545
Sa 02 ≥ 90%
30/89
0.337
Respiratory rate ≤ 20/min
8/21
0.381
Heart rate ≤ 100/min,
22/61
0.361
PH<7.45
28/64
0.438
Negative IMA and Sa02 ≥ 90%
15/20
0.750
Negative IMA and respiratory rate ≤ 20/min
5/6
0.833
Negative IMA and heart rate ≤ 100/min,
11/14
0.786
Negative IMA and PH <7.45
22/28
0.786
Negative IMA and negative D-dimer
3/3
1.00
Negative IMA and negative CRP
3/4
0.750
Negative IMA and negative D-dimer and negative CRP
1/1
1.00
Negative IMA and Sa02 ≥ 90% and heart rate ≤ 100/min
0/0
No definition
Group A and B Wells and Geneva clinical probability scores were also analyzed in our study. Group C (healthy volunteers) scores were not included in this analysis, and statistical calculations were performed for Group A and B patients alone.
The receiver operating characteristic curves of Wells and Geneva scores for diagnosis of PE at admission are shown in Figure
Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve of Wells score
Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve of Wells score.
Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve of Geneva score
Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve of Geneva score.
The area under the curve for the Geneva score was 0.659 (bootstrap 95% Cl, 0.558–0.759). The optimum diagnostic cut-off point maximizing sensitivity and specificity was found to be 5 points, with a sensitivity of 73.6% and a specificity of 51.2%, respectively. The corresponding PPV and NPV levels were 75.3% and 48.9%, respectively.
Based on the cut-off values determined, biochemical markers and clinical probability scores were subsequently combined. Using a positive s-CTPA as the standard for diagnosis of PE, the diagnostic accuracy levels of the IMA, D-dimer, Well's score, Geneva score, Well's score + IMA, Geneva score + IMA, Well's score + D-dimer, Geneva score + D-dimer are shown in Table
Performance characteristics of the Wells score, Geneva score, Well's score + IMA and Geneva score + IMA using the cutoff point of pretest probability, based on s-CTPA as reference standard.
Score/IMA
Sensitivity (95% Cl)
Specificity (95% Cl)
PPV (95% Cl)
NPV (95% Cl)
IMA (cutoff 0.25 ABSU)
93.1
52.2
79.4
78.6
D-dimer (cutoff 0.81 μg/ml)
98.9
11.6
69.4
83.3
Wells score (cutoff 2 point)
79.3
48.8
75.8
53.8
Geneva score (cutoff 5 point)
73.6
51.2
75.3
48.9
Wells score and IMA
97.7
23.3
72.0
83.3
Geneva score and IMA
97.7
20.9
71.4
81.8
Wells score and D-dimer
100.0
2.3
67.4
100.0
Geneva score and D-dimer
100.0
4.7
68.0
100.0
Limitations
Because our facility is a tertiary referral center and receives many patients who have been pre-screened by outlying hospitals and clinics, the prevalence of PE in our patients was very high. The PPV and NPV levels for the tests and criteria described may be different for populations with a different prevalence of PE.
The definitive diagnosis of PE was made using s-CTPA. The sensitivity and specificity of s-CT range from 53% to %100 and from 81% to 100%, respectively, when pulmonary arteriography is used as the standard for diagnosis of PE
There are no data for the period following hospital discharge, so there may have been patients in Group B who developed PE subsequently.
IMA is a new biomarker, the levels of which are significantly influenced by wide range of physiological variables, including exercise and hydration. It may also be elevated in a number of other diseases. In our patient selection, we eliminated patients with advanced liver, kidney or congestive heart failure, which can alter IMA levels. We were unable, however, to check for all variables which could possibly influence IMA levels.
Discussion
The literature contains studies regarding the use of IMA in acute ischemic conditions. It has been reported in these that IMA can be used as a diagnostic marker, especially in ACS
There is only one study in the literature about the use of IMA for diagnostic purposes in PE. This study, by Turedi et al., consisting of 30 patients with PE and 30 healthy individuals, demonstrated that serum IMA levels were significantly higher than those in healthy individuals in 97% of patients
Various clinical probability scores and biochemical markers are currently employed in order to exclude suspected PE in patients without using invasive and high-cost scanning tools. The most frequently used among these biochemical markers is D-dimer. The negative predictive value of D-dimer levels for ruling out a diagnosis of thromboembolic disease has been reported as high
The assessment of pretest probability, allowing the categorization of patients clinically suspected of having PE into low, intermediate and high clinical probability, is an essential step in contemporary diagnostic strategies because such categorization helps determine the need for and type of additional testing in patients suspected of having pulmonary emboli
Wells et al. described a first extended score, which was rather complex and not easy to use in daily practice, and subsequently developed a simplified one
In this study we investigated the diagnostic value of IMA in PE and whether or not IMA levels enhanced the diagnostic accuracy of commonly used risk stratification scales.
With a cut-off value of 0.25 ABSU, IMA sensitivity in the diagnosis of PE was 93.1%, specificity was 75.5%, positive predictive value was 79.4% and negative predictive value was 78.6%. The PPV of a positive IMA is better than the PPV of a positive D-dimer in the diagnosis of PE. D-dimer sensitivity and NPV have been demonstrated to be better than that of IMA and NPV. However, the results for IMA are very close to those for D-dimer and suggest that it can be used as an alternative marker. Used together with clinical probability scores it has a similarly positive effect on NPV and sensitivity to that of D-dimer. In addition IMA is a rapid and low-cost technique. Compared with D-dimer, the costs involved are some 100–200 times lower. In order to reduce patient exposure to radiation and lengthy and high-cost radiological tests, there is a need for economical and high-accuracy markers. Although it cannot be said, on the basis of the results of our study, that IMA is superior to D-dimer for that purpose, it may still be regarded as an alternative to D-dimer in terms of cost and the results determined. More comprehensive studies now need to be carried out on this subject.
In conclusion, IMA is a good alternative to D-dimer in the exclusion of PE diagnosis in terms of cost and efficiency. When used in combination with clinical probability scores, it has a similar positive effect on sensitivity to that of D-dimer and a superior one to that of NPV.
The PPV of IMA is better than D-dimer but is still unable to rule out a diagnosis of PE without additional studies. Wider-ranging studies in the future may mean that IMA becomes an important marker in the diagnostic approach to PE.
Abbreviations
IMA: ischemia-modified albumin; PE: pulmonary embolism; ED: emergency department; s-CTPA: spiral computed tomographic pulmonary angiography; ABSU: absorbance units; PPV: positive predictive value; NPV: negative predictive value; ACS: acute coronary syndrome; ECG: electrocardiography; DTT: dithiotheitol; SPSS: statistical package for the social sciences; ROC: receiver operating characteristics; DVT: deep vein thrombosis; SD: standard deviation; BP: blood pressure; RBBB: right bundle brunch block; VTE: venous thromboembolism; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; CHF: congestive heart failure; AUC: area under the curve; CRP: C-reactive protein; Sa02: oxygen saturation.
Authors' contributions
ST conceived the study, designed the trial, supervised the conduct of the trial and reviewed the literature. AG conceived the study, designed the trial, supervised the conduct of the trial and reviewed the literature. AM supervised the biochemical data collection and analyzed of these data. MT provided statistical advice on study design and analyzed the data. SCK supervised the conduct of the trial and biochemical data collection. SY in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. IT analyzed the biochemical data. OE in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. UU analyzed the biochemical data. YK in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. ST in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. RMR in the writing of the manuscript.