SCUBE-1 and VAP-1 Levels on Diagnosis Pulmonary Embolism

The definitive diagnosis of APT is made by ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy and thorax computed tomography angiography (CTA). There is no specific examination as a laboratory parameter. A definitive diagnosis cannot be made with d-Dimer, which is the most frequently used laboratory test today; it is used to exclude the diagnosis of APT.

The non-specificity of the clinical picture, the fact that the diagnosis depends on the experience of the physician and the necessity of exposure to radiation and contrast material for the definitive diagnosis has revealed the necessity of searching for alternative ways for the diagnosis of APT. "Signal peptide CUB-EGF domain-containing protein-1" (SCUBE-1) is a biomarker released during platelet aggregation, and "Vascular adhesion protein-1" (VAP-1) is a biomarker released from endothelium, and these biomarkers show promise for the diagnosis of APT.

Determination of serum SCUBE-1 and serum VAP-1 levels 5 mL blood taken from the peripheral veins of the patients was placed in a biochemistry tube and centrifuged at 3000 g. After centrifugation, the serum part of the blood was separated and taken into an eppendorf tube and stored in an ultra-deep freezer at minus 80°C until the study day. Before starting the study, the ELISA kits kept at 2-8°C and the samples kept in an ultra-deep freezer at minus 80°C were brought to room temperature.

Inclusion criteria

• being older than 18 years of age
• presenting to the emergency department,
• diagnosed with acute PTE by contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography

Exclusion criteria

• having acute ischemic disease, liver, kidney or advanced heart failure, liver disease, pregnancy, active malignancy or hematological disease, and a known history of PTE.