D-dimer

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 02.09.2022

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

D-Dimer consists of two fibrin fragments (FDP-DD) which are specific end products of fibrin cleavage by plasmin. The fragments are linked via gamma chains, which are formed during fibrin formation with the involvement of factor XIII.

General informationThis section has been translated automatically.

  • D-dimers are detectable in acutely formed fibrin complexes as well as in proteolytic degradation products of fibrin clots. The formation of fibrin is not specific for venous thrombosis and embolism. Elevated D-dimer levels can also be detected in nonthrombotic diseases and conditions such as surgery, hemorrhage, trauma, tumor disease, inflammatory reactions, and pregnancy.
  • Elevated D-dimer levels are found particularly in deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, consumptive coagulopathy, neoplasia (including leukemia, neoplasia of the lung and ovaries), sickle cell disease, therapy monitoring of thrombotic patients, follow-up of coagulation activation, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), sepsis, post-transplant rejection crisis, and physical and emotional stress.

Caution. High sensitivity (80-95%) of D-dimer determination. Normal D-dimer concentrations exclude venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and disseminated intravascular coagulation with high probability!

IndicationThis section has been translated automatically.

exclusion of thrombosis or pulmonary embolism; consumption coagulopathy

ImplementationThis section has been translated automatically.

Direct latex agglutination test (D-dimer test) or ELISA (enzyme linked immunoassay).

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Kelly J, Hunt BJ (2002) Role of D-dimers in diagnosis of venous thromboembolism. Lancet 359: 456-458
  2. Lensing AW et al (1999) Deep-vein thrombosis. Lancet 353:479-485
  3. Pedro J, Nunes L (2002) D-dimers in diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Lancet 360: 489
  4. Perrier A et al (1999) Non-invasive diagnosis of venous thromboembolism in outpatients. Lancet 353: 190-195

Authors

Last updated on: 02.09.2022

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer