General Information
The D-dimer test is a blood test that measures a breakdown product of fibrin. It is used to diagnose thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and blood clotting disorders.
D-dimer
During the degradation of fibrin clots under the influence of plasmin, fragments containing D-dimers are formed. Thus, D-dimer is considered a marker of hypercoagulability and endogenous fibrinolysis, and its increased levels are observed in patients with thrombosis.
Possible interpretation of the results
The increase in D-dimers is related to the following conditions:
- DIC syndrome
- Arterial or venous thrombosis
- Kidney or liver failure
- Pulmonary embolism
- Preeclampsia
- Myocardial infarction
- Tumors
- Inflammation
- Severe infections
- Tissue plasminogen activator therapy
Limitations
An increase in D-dimer levels may be detected
- During a normal pregnancy
- During estrogen therapy
- While taking oral contraceptives
- In the elderly
- After the injury
- After postoperative stress
D-dimer concentrations increase with increasing ovarian cancer marker CA-125 marker.
The presence of rheumatoid factor may interfere with the determination of D-dimer and lead to false positive results.
Reference values
D-dimer test It is a quick and effective screening to rule out thrombosis. A high reading does not always mean thrombosis, but requires additional testing.
- The test has a negative predictive value For deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities and pulmonary thromboembolism In the sense that getting a negative result in suspicious patients eliminates the presence of these diseases by at least 90%.
- D-dimer during pregnancy. Its level increases gradually during pregnancy and has a poor prognostic value to rule out the diagnostics of deep vein thrombosis after 20 weeks of gestation. During childbirth, the D-dimer usually increases too much, then decreases rapidly within 3 days of delivery, and slowly returns to normal values after about 4 weeks. From this point on, the test returns to its meaning.
- Determining the risk of thrombosis recurrence In patients with a history of unprovoked deep vein thrombosis and no thrombophilic disorders;
- Common Intravascular Coagulation Syndrome (DIC).Recommended to confirm / rule out diagnostic suspicion, assess potential risk in patients with DIC, and monitor ongoing therapy.
- Monitoring the quality of thrombus lysis during thrombolytic therapy.
- Suspected acute aortic dissection.
- Determining the probability of survival of patients with chronic atrial fibrillation For the next 2 years.
- Independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality; which can be used to stratify groups at risk for patients with heart failure.
- Potential risk factor for coronary heart disease.
- Marker of subclinical thrombophilia.
- Unexplained primary or secondary infertility and thrombophilia.
- Breast cancer We have high levels of D-dimer on the face in patients with cancer, depending on the stage of the tumor, which is useful for the identification of lymph node metastases in patients with operative cancer.
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