D-Dimer:
Why D-Dimer Test?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
A blood clot (clot formed by fibrin protein net or mesh) is a thick mass of blood that forms when platelets, proteins and cells in the blood clump together to stop bleeding, thus plugging the damaged blood vessels. Gradually these formed clots start to break down after are formed and one such degraded product from the clot is called a D-dimer. D-dimer is a two identical protein fragment units are produced during the degradation of a clot. D-dimer test is ordered by the physician in high-risk factors of a blood clot (to rule out thrombus) in differential diagnosis, which could be fatal if not treated. D-dimer test is used to find out blood clotting disorders (blood dyscrasia of platelets and/or patients with hyperfibrinolysis), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be formed in any part of the body, pulmonary embolism - PE (blood clot in the lung), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in smaller blood vessels etc. Positive test result for D-dimer may be considered as a strong indication for the presence of a clot, yet other factors too can also increase D-dimer levels apart from thrombus or clot hence needs further more investigations. Symptoms of a blood clot include edema (swelling of legs with redness), leg pain (tenderness) when standing or walking, trouble breathing, coughing (may cough up blood), fast heartbeat, chest pain, sweating, fainting etc. The diagnosis of D-dimer is performed by antibody (Monoclonal Antibody) against it for detection. D-dimer test is also known as the Fibrin degradation fragment test or Fragment D-dimer test looks for a substance called D-dimer, is also used as a tool in prognosis to check if the anti-thrombotic therapy if effective or not. Causes of incidence include patients suspected with Anti-. Phospholipid syndrome (auto-immune disorder), inherited clotting disorders (eg. V Leiden mutation), major surgery including knee replacement, major multiple fractures including long bones like the femur or major bone-like pelvis, pregnancy, certain cancers etc. High D-dimer levels are seen to be associated with conditions such as female (compared to male), old age (over 80 years), infections like COVID-19, liver disease (liver cirrhosis), some cancers, stroke (higher levels of D-dimer are associated with an increased risk of stroke), trauma, high lipid profile or obese subjects with atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease have higher levels of D-dimer), pregnancy (D-dimer levels increase by 4 folds and hence women have increased risk of DVT or PE for up to 3 months), certain snake bites etc. Other contributory factors with increased risk include cigarette smoking, race (African-American have higher D-dimer levels), sedentary life, immobilized patients (ie. Post-surgical cases). Since the above-foresaid reasons can also contribute to increased D-dimer levels, this test can be used as a screening method but needs supporting evidence for incidence thrombus for confirmation. Additional tests (tests for supporting evidence) include Ultrasonography, CT angiography, Pulmonary angiography, Ventilation-Perfusion lung scan etc.
General Instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen - Blood sample collected from the vein. Test Preparation: None.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RTDIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centres to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.
