What is a significantly elevated D-dimer?
What does a high D-dimer test result mean? If your results reveal that you have higher-than-normal levels of D-dimer in your blood, it may mean that you have a blood clotting condition. A D-dimer test can’t determine the type of blood clotting condition you may have or where the blood clot(s) is in your body.
What causes elevations in D-dimer?
Additionally, D-dimer levels may be elevated in the setting of pregnancy, inflammation, malignancy, trauma, postsurgical treatment, liver disease (decreased clearance), and heart disease. It is also frequently high in hospitalized patients.
What can falsely elevated D-dimer?
Specificity is typically between 40% and 60%, leading to a high rate of false-positive results. Several factors, other than PE or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), are associated with positive D-dimer results. Some, such as advanced age, malignancy, and pregnancy, have been described in the medical literature.
What is a D dimer test?
D-dimer is a commonly tested biological marker which is produced by the enzymatic breakdown of cross-linked fibrin which forms the fibrous mesh of a blood clot. The measurement of D-dimer in the circulation acts as a marker of coagulation and fibrinolysis, which can be useful in the diagnosis of multiple diseases.
Can D dimer levels be elevated in PE patients?
Introduction. However, the D-dimer value can be elevated in a number of other normal physiologic, as well as pathologic states. Hence finding the D-dimer level to be elevated should not be the sole basis for a PE workup. Rather, clinical suspicion should direct the investigation for the presence of PE.
How many extremely elevated D-dimer test results are there?
Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients > 18 years with an extremely elevated (> 5000 μg/l; > 10x cut-off to exclude VTE) D-dimer test result. Electronic medical records were reviewed for diagnoses. Results: A total of 759 extremely elevated D-dimer results were identified.
What does low D dimer mean in blood work?
Low levels of D-dimer mean a patient probably does not have blood clotting issues. An elevated level of D-dimer has a few causes. Serious blood clotting problems, such as pulmonary embolism, which is life threatening, can result in high levels of D-dimer.