D-Dimer, Plasma

D-Dimer is the primary enzymatic degradation product of crosslinked fibrin (the major component of a thrombus) by plasmin. D-Dimer values are an index of fibrin turnover in the circulation. Under normal physiological conditions, there is a balance between the two opposing processes of fibrin formation and fibrin lysis. The activity of D-Dimer is considered to reflect the overall activity of clot formation and lysis. Because D-Dimer is not artificially generated in vitro during blood collection, its measurement more consistently reflects in vivo haemostatic activity than do other assays for coagulation or fibrinolytic activities that may be activated in vitro.

The measurement of D-Dimer is used to assess the fibrinolytic status. Its absence excludes the presence of intravascular thrombus. D-Dimer measurement can aid in the clinical diagnosis in venous thromboembolic conditions such as pulmonary embolism and acute coronary syndromes. In addition, it may potentially permit risk stratification of patients with calf Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), proximal acute lower limb DVT, acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage, intracranial haemorrhage, and bacteraemia, thereby permitting a targeted approach to further investigation and treatment. In the era of COVID 19, D- Dimer is considered a key test; it has been proved that Patients with severe COVID-19 have a higher level of D-dimer than those with non-severe disease, and D-dimer greater than 0.5 μg/ml is associated with severe infection in patients with COVID-19.

1 ml Citrated Plasma Stability: 8 Hours at 15-25 °C 4 Days at 2-8 °C 6 Months at (-15)-(-25) °C

Avoid haemolysed samples.

Negative: < 0.5 µg FEU/mL Critical : ≥ 0.5 µg FEU/mL