Free Plasma DNA in Patients With Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract

Plasma samples from 46 patients with suspected pulmonary embolism and 25 patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction were analyzed for DNA by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE). Anti-DNA serum was obtained from a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who had a high titer of anti-DNA antibodies. Free plasma DNA was found in 7 of 8 patients (88%) with high probability of pulmonary embolism by lung scan criteria. Of 21 patients with low probability scans for pulmonary embolism, 6 (29%) also had DNA in their plasma. None of the 8 patients with normal scans and only 1 of 13 patients with myocardial infarction DNA in their plasma. Detection of plasma DNA by CIE is a rapid and simple method of screening for pulmonary embolism.