d-Dimer

General

Synonym/Acronym:
Dimer, fibrin degradation fragment.

Rationale
To assist in diagnosing a diffuse state of hypercoagulation as seen in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), acute myocardial infarction (MI), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE). To assess thrombolytic disorders such as rapidly developing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), assess thrombotic or slowly developing DIC, and to monitor thrombolytic therapy.

Patient Preparation
There are no food, fluid, activity, or medication restrictions unless by medical direction.

Normal Findings
Method: Immunoturbidimetric.

Conventional Units (FEU = Fibrinogen Equivalent Units)SI Units (Conventional Units × 5.476)
0–0.5 mcg/mL FEU0–2.7 nmol/L
Levels increase with age; current medical literature supports the combined use of either the original or simplified Wells rules in combination with an age-adjusted threshold for determining positive d-Dimer findings. Age-adjusted thresholds in patients more than 50 yr of age increase specificity in older adults who have either a low or intermediate probability of PE—using the formula age/100 mcg/mL where, for example, a 70-yr-old patient would have an age adjusted cutoff of 0.7 mcg/mL FEU.

Critical Findings and Potential Interventions
N/A

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