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D-dimer (or D dimer) is a dimer that is a fibrin degradation product (FDP), a small protein fragment present in the blood after a blood clot is degraded by fibrinolysis. It is so named because it contains two D fragments of the fibrin protein joined by a cross-link , hence forming a protein dimer .
Blood clots are dangerous, so you don’t want to ignore an elevated D dimer level. Skip to main content. Sign in. Mail. 24/7 Help. For premium support please call: 800-290-4726 ...
Principles of D-dimer testing. Fibrin degradation products (FDPs), also known as fibrin split products, are components of the blood produced by clot degeneration. [1] Clotting, also called coagulation, at the wound site produces a mass of fibrin threads called a net that remains in place until the cut is healed. As a cut heals, the clotting ...
Less common causes include snake bites, frostbite, and burns. [1] There are two main types: acute (rapid onset) and chronic (slow onset). [1] Diagnosis is typically based on blood tests. [2] Findings may include low platelets, low fibrinogen, high INR, or high D-dimer. [2] Treatment is mainly directed towards the underlying condition.
Acquired hyperfibrinolysis is found in liver disease, [3] in patients with severe trauma, [4] during major surgical procedures, [5] and other conditions. [6] A special situation with temporarily enhanced fibrinolysis is thrombolytic therapy with drugs which activate plasminogen , e.g. for use in acute ischemic events or in patients with stroke.
D-dimer levels in the blood may be elevated as a result of fibrin breakdown. [ citation needed ] On duplex ultrasound, demonstration of echogenic material within the portal vein, complete or partial absence of colour flow in the portal vein, presence of collateral vessels around the portal vein or gall bladder that bypass the portal vein.
D-dimer is highly sensitive but not specific (specificity around 50%). In other words, a positive D-dimer is not synonymous with PE, but a negative D-dimer is, with a good degree of certainty, an indication of absence of a PE. [52] A low pretest probability is also valuable in ruling out PE. [53]
An elevated level [f] can result from plasmin dissolving a clot—or other conditions. [113] Hospitalized patients often have elevated levels for multiple reasons. [39] Anticoagulation, the standard treatment for DVT, prevents further clot growth and PE, but does not act directly on existing clots. [114]