How to use D-dimer in acute cardiovascular care.

Abstract

D-dimer testing is important to aid in the exclusion of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs), including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and it may be used to evaluate suspected aortic dissection. D-dimer is produced upon activation of the coagulation system with the generation and subsequent degradation of cross-linked fibrin by plasmin. Many different assays for D-dimer testing are currently used in routine care. However, these tests are neither standardized nor harmonized. Consequently, only clinically validated assays and assay specific decision limits should be used for routine testing. For the exclusion of pulmonary embolism/deep vein thrombosis, age-adjusted cut-offs are recommend. Clinicians must be aware of the validated use of their hospital's D-dimer assay to avoid inappropriate use of this biomarker in routine care.

• Authors: Evangelos Giannitsis, Johannes Mair, Christina Christersson, Agneta Siegbahn, Kurt Huber, Allan S Jaffe, W Frank Peacock, Mario Plebani, Kristian Thygesen, Martin Möckel, Christian Mueller, Bertil Lindahl, Biomarker Study Group of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Acute Cardiovascular Care Association (ACCA)
• Journal: European heart journal. Acute cardiovascular care (Eur Heart J Acute Cardiovasc Care) Vol. 6 Issue 1 Pg. 69-80 (Feb 2017) ISSN: 2048-8734 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26450781 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products
• fibrin fragment D

Topics

• Algorithms
• Biomarkers (metabolism)
• Female
• Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products (metabolism)
• Humans
• Male
• Point-of-Care Systems
• Pulmonary Embolism (diagnosis, metabolism)
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Venous Thrombosis (diagnosis, metabolism)