Utilidad de la escala de Wells y el dímero D en el diagnóstico precoz de la tromboembolia pulmonar.

Abstract

Introduction: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a medical emergency with high morbidity and mortality, often going unnoticed in its early stages due to its non-specific clinical presentation. Faced with this diagnostic challenge, clinical prediction tools such as the Wells score and laboratory tests like D-dimer provide a fast and effective evaluation. Therefore, this study aims to describe the diagnostic value of the Wells score and D-dimer in the early detection of pulmonary embolism through a literature review, in order to assess their clinical effectiveness and applicability in primary care settings. Development: This paper is based on a literature review of indexed scientific articles, clinical guidelines, and recent studies. Four main areas were addressed: a general overview of PE, a detailed explanation of the Wells score, a pharmacological and functional description of D-dimer, and a combined evaluation of both tools in diagnostic settings. Conclusion: The combined use of the Wells score and D-dimer allows for effective risk stratification and reduces the need for unnecessary imaging tests in low-risk patients, optimizing diagnostic resources. Additionally, it contributes to faster clinical decision-making, offering a safe, cost-effective, and practical approach for improving early detection of pulmonary embolism.