Role of Red Blood Cell Distribution Width in the Diagnosis of Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Recent studies have shown that a high Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has significant prognostic value in patient with acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension. Moreover elevated RDW has been observed in patient with acute pulmonary embolism.

To evaluate the role of red blood cell distribution width in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism.

This study is a case control study conducted in the emergency department of Al-Sader teaching hospital in Al Najaf City, during the period from March to December 2017. The study enrolled 31 patients who were diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism by CT pulmonary angiography and 61 healthy controls. RDW is measured by CELL-DYN Ruby hematology analyzer machine for all participants.

The mean of RDW values for the patients was significantly higher than that of controls, 14.26 ± 1.52 and 12.85 ± 0.84, respectively, (P<0.001). The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve revealed that RDW is a good predictor of pulmonary embolism, with a sensitivity of 80.3%, specificity of 77.4%, and accuracy of 79% at the optimal RDW cutoff point of 13.2%.

RDW measurement may provide a non-invasive and cheap blood test that aids in the diagnosis of suspected acute PE in the emergency department.