D-dimer

D-dimer is the plasmin derived Fibrinolysis-specific Degradation Product (FDP) found in the circulation. It contains two D-fragments of cross linked fibrin. D-dimer is very sensitive to intravascular thrombus and may be markedly elevated in Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), acute aortic dissection, and Pulmonary Embolism (PE). Plasma levels of D-dimer can also be increased in a variety of other conditions including malignancy, inflammatory conditions, and infections making it not suitable to be a marker. However, because of its exquisite sensitivity, the negative tests are useful in the exclusion of venous thromboembolism (VTE), a life threatening disorder that includes DVT and PE.

 

The diagnosis of VTE and DIC are difficult, time-consuming, and expensive process. Generally the assays for the detection of FDPs and D-dimer are used in many laboratories to investigate these disorders. The Q-line D-dimer Platinum assay use liquid-phase latex enhanced agglutination technology for automated biochemistry analyzers.