The American Journal of Medicine
Volume 123, Issue 1 , Pages 17-19, January 2010

Appropriate Use of D-dimer in Hospital Patients

  • Jecko Thachil, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Haematology, University of Liverpool, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationRequests for reprints should be addressed to Jecko Thachil, MD, Department of Haematology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GA, United Kingdom
    • ,
  • David A. Fitzmaurice, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Primary Care Clinical Sciences, Clinical Sciences Building, The University of Birmingham, UK
    • ,
  • Cheng Hock Toh, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Haematology, University of Liverpool, UK
    • Roald Dahl Haemostasis and Thrombosis Centre, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, UK

Abstract 

D-dimer, the final product of plasmin-mediated degradation of fibrin-rich thrombi, has emerged as a simple blood test that can be used in diagnostic algorithms for the exclusion of venous thromboembolism. D-dimer also is used as a part of the diagnostic tests for disseminated intravascular coagulation, where excessive thrombin generation is the key pathophysiological factor. However, there are no robust data available at present on the use of this test to exclude venous thromboembolism in a hospital inpatient. Considerable confusion also exists among physicians about its appropriate use and interpretation in disseminated intravascular coagulation. This article focuses on the available evidence to guide the appropriate use of D-dimer in patients admitted to a hospital.

Keywords: Coagulation, D-dimer, Thromboembolism

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 Funding: None.

 Conflict of Interest: None relevant to the article for all the authors.

 Authorship: All authors had access to the data and a role in writing the manuscript.

PII: S0002-9343(09)00864-X

doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.09.011

The American Journal of Medicine
Volume 123, Issue 1 , Pages 17-19, January 2010

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