Plasma d-Dimer Levels Correlate With Outcomes in Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Study objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of plasma d-dimer levels in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: Hospital Lluis Alcanyis of Xativa, Spain. Patients: Consecutive adult patients admitted to the hospital with CAP from January 2000 to October 2002. Measurements and results: A total of 302 patients were included. Plasma d-dimer was measured using an automated latex assay. The relationships between plasma d-dimer and prognostic variables included in the pneumonia severity index (PSI) were examined using univariate and multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses. d-Dimer levels were negative ( ie , Conclusions: d-Dimer plasma levels could be useful for predicting clinical outcome in patients with CAP.