FDP –Fibrin Degradation Products:
Why FDP Test?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
A blood clot (clot formed by mesh-like fibrin protein) is a thick, sticky gel-like mass of blood that forms when platelets, proteins and cells in the blood aggregate together form a clump to stop bleeding, thus the process of blood clotting plugs the damaged blood vessels from bleeding. In the process of wound healing, these blood clots disappear naturally as this fibrin meshwork dissolves these fragments of this protein also known as ‘fibrin degradation products-FDPs’ are released into the bloodstream. In certain abnormal conditions when the blood clots are unable to dissolve, these FDPs can be altered (to abnormally high levels). Hence FDPs are one among the tests in clotting disorder profile tests. FDP assay help to measure the breakdown products of fibrin/fibrinogen. D-dimers (D-dimer are two identical protein fragment units, that are produced during degradation of a clot) are also the FDPs that are produced when fibrin is cleaved by plasmin. Therefore increased FDPs or D-dimers are indicators to screen the presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation – DIC, deep vein thrombosis – DVT, Pulmonary Embolism – PE. Since these indicators such as D-dimers can be formed in a variety of many circumstances their presence alone cannot be considered of much diagnostic value. Thus more such additional tests are required for further supporting investigations for the confirmation of definitive diagnosis are required for evidence-based treatment in clinical decision making. 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 is 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-Americans 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 RT DIAGNOSTICS 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.
