D - DIMER

1. D-dimer is a fibrin degradation product, a small protein fragment present in the blood after a blood clot is degraded by fibrinolysis. The product increases in conditions including inappropriate fibrinolysis.

2. This assay can aid in the diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) & pulmonary embolism (PE). The test results should be correlated with Imaging studies (e.g. Colour Doppler). The negative predicitive value (NPV) with acut off of 0.5 g.ml is 95 to 100% for DVT & PE.

3. Elevated D-dimer is seen in hypercoagulability, DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis, DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation), recent surgery, trauma or infection.

Limitations:

1. False Negative: Anticoagulant therapy

2. False Positive: Elderly,Liver disease,Pregnancy, Eclampsia,Heart disease,Rheumatoid arthritis, Some cancers,