THE DIAGNOSTIC-VALUE OF THE FIBRINOGEN FIBRIN FRAGMENT E-ANTIGEN ASSAY IN CLINICALLY SUSPECTED DEEP-VEIN THROMBOSIS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 59  (2) , 346-350
Abstract
The fibrinogen/fibrin fragment E antigen assay as a diagnostic test was evaluated in patients with clinically suspected venous thrombosis by comparing the results of this assay with venography in 272 patients. The result of the fragment E antigen assay was elevated in 79 of 80 patients with positive venograms for recent venous thrombosis (sensitivity 99%) and within the normal range in 161 of 192 patients with normal venograms (specificity 84%). The fragment E assay was evaluated in 130 medical and surgical controls without evidence of venous thrombosis by leg scanning and the test was found to be relatively nonspecific. In the patient group under study, a correct clinical diagnosis of no thrombosis, based on a normal fragment E result, was made in 161 of 162 cases (negative predictive value 99%). A normal test result effectively excludes a diagnosis of venous thrombosis in clinically symptomatic patients. The assay, as currently performed, is technically demanding and takes 24 h to complete. It will have to simplified before it can be applied to clinical practice.