Research Article
Balancing Clinical Judgment and Imaging: Evaluation of Pulmonary Embolism Using Modified Wells Score, Age-Adjusted D-Dimer, and CT Pulmonary Angiography
Indushree TV*, Shyam S, Akshay H Janakare and Parthasarathy KR
Department of Radiodiagnosis, SS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere, Karnataka, India
*Corresponding author:Dr. Indushree TV, Department of Radiodiagnosis, SS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere, Karnataka, India. E-mail Id: indushreetv@gmail.com
Copyright: © 2026 Indushree TV, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Article Information:Submission: 12/02/2026; Accepted: 23/03/2026; Published: 26/03/2026
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Modified Wells Score and age-adjusted D-dimer values in predicting pulmonary embolism and to correlate these findings with computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA).
Materials and Methods: This prospective analytical study included 77 patients clinically suspected of pulmonary embolism who were referred for computed tomography pulmonary angiography. Modified Wells Score categorization, standard and age-adjusted D-dimer values were recorded and correlated with CTPA findings.
Results: Pulmonary embolism was detected on CTPA in both Wells-likely and Wells-unlikely groups. Age-adjusted D-dimer demonstrated improved negative predictive value in the pulmonary embolism unlikely group, reducing unnecessary CTPA examinations.
Conclusion: An integrated diagnostic approach combining Modified Wells Score, age-adjusted D-dimer, and CTPA improves diagnostic accuracy and optimizes utilization of imaging in suspected pulmonary embolism.
Materials and Methods: This prospective analytical study included 77 patients clinically suspected of pulmonary embolism who were referred for computed tomography pulmonary angiography. Modified Wells Score categorization, standard and age-adjusted D-dimer values were recorded and correlated with CTPA findings.
Results: Pulmonary embolism was detected on CTPA in both Wells-likely and Wells-unlikely groups. Age-adjusted D-dimer demonstrated improved negative predictive value in the pulmonary embolism unlikely group, reducing unnecessary CTPA examinations.
Conclusion: An integrated diagnostic approach combining Modified Wells Score, age-adjusted D-dimer, and CTPA improves diagnostic accuracy and optimizes utilization of imaging in suspected pulmonary embolism.
Keywords:Pulmonary embolism; Modified Wells score; Age-adjusted D-dimer; CT pulmonary angiography