D-Dimer

CPT: 85379
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Special Instructions

If the patient's hematocrit exceeds 55%, the volume of citrate in the collection tube must be adjusted. Refer to Coagulation Collection Procedures for directions.


Expected Turnaround Time

Within 1 day



Related Documents

For more information, please view the literature below.

Procedures for Hemostasis and Thrombosis: A Clinical Test Compendium


Specimen Requirements


Specimen

Plasma, frozen


Volume

2 mL


Minimum Volume

1 mL


Container

Blue-top (sodium citrate) tube


Collection

Blood should be collected in a blue-top tube containing 3.2% buffered sodium citrate.1 Evacuated collection tubes must be filled to completion to ensure a proper blood to anticoagulant ratio.2,3 The sample should be mixed immediately by gentle inversion at least six times to ensure adequate mixing of the anticoagulant with the blood. A discard tube is not required prior to collection of coagulation samples.4,5 When noncitrate tubes are collected for other tests, collect sterile and nonadditive (red-top) tubes prior to citrate (blue-top) tubes. Any tube containing an alternate anticoagulant should be collected after the blue-top tube. Gel-barrier tubes and serum tubes with clot initiators should also be collected after the citrate tubes. Centrifuge and carefully remove the plasma using a plastic transfer pipette, being careful not to disturb the cells. Transfer the plasma into a Labcorp PP transpak frozen purple tube with screw cap (Labcorp No. 49482). Freeze plasma within four hours of blood collection and maintain frozen until tested. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.

Please print and use the Volume Guide for Coagulation Testing to ensure proper draw volume.


Storage Instructions

Freeze.


Stability Requirements

Temperature

Period

Room temperature

Unacceptable

Refrigerated

Unacceptable

Frozen

4 weeks

Freeze/thaw cycles

Stable x1


Causes for Rejection

Gross hemolysis; clotted specimen; specimen thawed in transit; improper labeling


Test Details


Use

The Innovance® D-dimer assay is intended for use in conjunction with a nonhigh clinical pretest probability (PTP) assessment model to exclude deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).6 This test can be used to exclude VTE with nonhigh pretest probability (ie, low or low/moderate pretest probability). In an exclusion strategy, a D-dimer below the established threshold in a nonhigh pretest probability patient does not require further testing to exclude VTE.


Limitations

Results of this test should always be interpreted in conjunction with the patient's medical history, clinical presentation, and other findings. DVT clinical diagnosis should not be based on the result of Innovance® D-dimer alone.

D-dimer levels can be elevated in many clinical circumstances, especially in hospitalized patients. D-dimer should not be used as an aid for exclusion of venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism in pediatric patients in any circumstance and adult patients with6-8:

• Therapeutic dose anticoagulant administered for >24 hours before D-dimer is measured

• Thrombosis distal to the knee only

• Fibrinolytic therapy within previous seven days

• Upper extremity thrombosis

• D-dimer levels may be falsely negative if the elapsed time between thrombosis onset and D-dimer measurement is sufficient such that D-dimer has been cleared from the circulation.

The following conditions are associated with an increase in D-dimer concentrations, even in the absence of venous thrombosis:

• Aortic aneurysm

• Trauma or surgery within previous four weeks

• Disseminated malignancies

• Disseminated intravascular coagulation

• Sickle cell disease

• Sepsis, severe infections, pneumonia, severe skin infections

• Liver cirrhosis

• Pregnancy

Also note6:

• Patient samples may contain heterophilic antibodies (eg, human antimouse antibodies [HAMA] and rheumatoid factors) that could react in immunoassays to yield falsely elevated results. This assay has been designed to minimize interference from heterophilic antibodies. Nevertheless, complete elimination of this interference from all patient specimens cannot be guaranteed.

• Patients with subsegmental/peripheral PE or distal DVT may have a normal Innovance® D-dimer result.9,10

• Exclusionary claim of PE in patients with high PTP scores has not been established.


Methodology

Immunoturbidimetric assay


Reference Interval

0.00−0.49 mg/L FEU (Fibrinogen equivalent units)

Age (Years)

Age-Adjusted Cutoff (mg/L FEU)

50

0.00 − 0.50

51

0.00 − 0.51

52

0.00 − 0.52

53

0.00 − 0.53

54

0.00 − 0.54

55

0.00 − 0.55

56

0.00 − 0.56

57

0.00 − 0.57

58

0.00 − 0.58

59

0.00 − 0.59

60

0.00 − 0.60

61

0.00 − 0.61

62

0.00 − 0.62

63

0.00 − 0.63

64

0.00 − 0.64

65

0.00 − 0.65

66

0.00 − 0.66

67

0.00 − 0.67

68

0.00 − 0.68

69

0.00 − 0.69

70

0.00 − 0.70

71

0.00 − 0.71

72

0.00 − 0.72

73

0.00 − 0.73

74

0.00 − 0.74

75

0.00 − 0.75

76

0.00 − 0.76

77

0.00 − 0.77

78

0.00 − 0.78

79

0.00 − 0.79

80

0.00 − 0.80

81

0.00 − 0.81

82

0.00 − 0.82

83

0.00 − 0.83

84

0.00 − 0.84

85

0.00 − 0.85

86

0.00 − 0.86

87

0.00 − 0.87

88

0.00 − 0.88

89

0.00 − 0.89

90

0.00 − 0.90

91

0.00 − 0.91

92

0.00 − 0.92

93

0.00 − 0.93

94

0.00 − 0.94

95

0.00 − 0.95

96

0.00 − 0.96

97

0.00 − 0.97

98

0.00 − 0.98

99

0.00 − 0.99


Additional Information

Coagulation activation results in the cleavage of fibrinogen to fibrin monomer.7,8 The fibrin monomers spontaneously aggregate to fibrin and are cross-linked by factor XIII; this produces a fibrin clot. In response to the coagulation process the fibrinolytic system is activated resulting in the conversion of plasminogen into plasmin, which cleaves fibrin (and fibrinogen) into the fragments D and E. Due to cross-linkage between D-domains in the fibrin clot, the action of plasmin releases fibrin degradation products with cross-linked D-domains. The smallest unit is D-dimer. Detection of D-dimers, which specifies cross-linked fibrin degradation products generated by reactive fibrinolysis, is an indicator of coagulation activity. Fibrin degradation products are not consistently "D-dimer" but are a mixture of fragments and complexes of different molecular weight. The presence of D-dimer confirms that both thrombin and plasmin have been generated since it can only be produced as the result of the plasmin degradation of cross-linked fibrin. The in vivo half-life of D-dimer is approximately eight hours.11

Elevated D-dimer levels are observed in all diseases and conditions with increased coagulation activation, eg, thromboembolic disease, DIC, acute aortic dissection, myocardial infarction, malignant diseases, obstetrical complications, third trimester of pregnancy, surgery, or polytrauma.12-17 However, in the context of venous thromboembolism, symptoms being present since a certain period of time, eg, longer than a week, may produce normal D-dimer values.18 For the diagnosis of DIC a scoring system has been suggested, in which elevated D-dimer levels represent the major indicator of DIC.12 While increased levels of D-dimer are not specific for DVT or PE, low D-dimer levels may be used to rule out these conditions. The negative predictive values for DVT and PE are approaching 100% for the Innovance D-dimer assay employing a cutoff of <0.5 mg/L FEU. The negative predictive value is further enhanced through the use of a clinical probability model along with D-dimer in the decision process.12-15 Values less than 0.5 mg/L FEU in an individual with a low clinical risk of venous thrombosis can serve as the basis for not performing more expensive diagnostic tests for DVT and PE. Patients with results greater than this cutoff require further diagnostic testing to establish the diagnosis.

D-dimer levels are known to increase with age; eg, median D-dimer levels in apparently healthy men aged 75 to 79 are about twice as high as in men aged 60 to 64.19 This increase in the basal D-dimer concentration is responsible for the decrease in the specificity of D-dimer measurements for exclusion of VTE in the elderly. Several studies on D-dimer for exclusion of venous thromboembolism (VTE) have been reëvaluated using an age-specific cutoff.20-23 The aim was to improve the effectiveness of D-dimer testing in ruling out VTE.20-23 The cutoff provided with the patient result is the manufacturer-determined value for exclusion of VTE; however, it has been determined that D-dimer values increase with age, and this can make VTE exclusion of an older population difficult. To address this, the American College of Physicians, based on best available evidence and recent guidelines, recommends that clinicians use age-adjusted D-dimer thresholds in patients greater than 50 years of age with: (a) a low probability of PE who do not meet all "pulmonary-embolism-rule-out criteria," or (b) in those with intermediate probability of PE.21 The formula for an age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff is "age/100." For example, a 60-year-old patient would have an age-adjusted cutoff of 0.6 mg/L FEU, and an 80-year-old patient would have an age-adjusted cutoff of 0.8 mg/L FEU.


Footnotes

1. Adcock DM, Kressin DC, Marlar RA. Effect of 3.2% vs 3.8% sodium citrate concentration on routine coagulation testing. Am J Clin Pathol. 1997 Jan; 107(1):105-110. 8980376
2. Reneke J, Etzell J, Leslie S, Ng VL, Gottfried EL. Prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time due to underfilled specimen tubes with 109 mmol/L (3.2%) citrate anticoagulant. Am J Clin Pathol. 1998 Jun; 109(6):754-757. 9620035
3. National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standardization. Collection, Transport, and Processing of Blood Specimens for Coagulation Testing and General Performance of Coagulation Assays; Approved Guideline. 5th ed. Villanova, Pa: NCCLS; 2008. Document H21-A5:28(5).
4. Gottfried EL, Adachi MM. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time can be performed on the first tube. Am J Clin Pathol. 1997 Jun; 107(6):681-683. 9169665
5. McGlasson DL, More L, Best HA, Norris WL, Doe RH, Ray H. Drawing specimens for coagulation testing: Is a second tube necessary? Clin Lab Sci. 1999 May-Jun; 12(3):137-139. 10539100
6. Innovance® D-Dimer [package insert]. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Products GmbH; 2010.
7. Olson JD, Cunningham MT, Higgins RA, Eby CS, Brandt JT. D-dimer: Simple test, tough problems. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2013 Aug; 137(8):1030-1038. 23899057
8. Adam SS, Key NS, Greenberg CS. D-dimer antigen: Current concepts and future prospects. Blood. 2009 Mar 26; 113(13):2878-2887. 19008457
9. Jennersjö CM, Fagerberg IH, Karlander SG, Lindahl TL. Normal D-Dimer concentration is a common finding in symptomatic outpatients with distal deep vein thrombosis. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2005 Oct; 16(7):517-523. 16175012
10. Sijens PE, van Ingen HE, van Beek EJ, Berghout A, Oudkerk M. Rapid ELISA assay for plasma D-dimer in the diagnosis of segmental and subsegmental pulmonary embolism, A comparison with pulmonary angiography. Thromb Haemost. 2000 Aug; 84:156-159. 10959684
11. Kraus M. Fibrin(ogen) degradation products, D-dimer. In: Thomas L, ed. Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics. Frankfurt, Germany: TH-Books Verlagsgesellschaft;1998:633-636.
12. Wells PS. The role of qualitative D-dimer assays, clinical probability, and noninvasive imaging tests for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Semin Vasc Med. 2005 Nov; 5(4):340-350. 16302155
13. Kelly J, Hunt BJ. The utility of pretest probability assessment in patients with clinically suspected venous thromboembolism. J Thromb Haemost. 2003 Sep; 1(9):1888-1896. 12941028
14. Taylor FB Jr, Toh CH, Hoots WK, Wada H, Levi M; Scientific Subcommittee on Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH). Towards definition, clinical and laboratory criteria, and a scoring system for disseminated intravascular coagulation. Thromb Haemost. 2001 Nov; 86(5):1327-1330. 11816725
15. Palareti G, Cosmi B. Predicting the risk of recurrence of venous thromboembolism. Curr Opin Hematol. 2004 May; 11(3):192-197. 15257020
16. Lowe GD. Fibrin D-dimer and cardiovascular risk. Semin Vasc Med. 2005 Nov; 5(4):387-398. 16302161
17. Eichinger S. D-Dimer testing in pregnancy. Semin Vasc Med. 2005 Nov; 5(4):375-378. 16302159
18. Dempfle CE. Bestimmung des D-Dimer-Antigens in der klinischen Routine. Dtsch Arztebl. 2005; 102(7): 428-432.
19. Rumley A, Emberson JR, Wannamethee SG, Lennon L, Whincup PH, Lowe GD. Effects of older age on fibrin D-dimer, C-reactive protein, and other hemostatic and inflammatory variables in men aged 60-79 years. J Thromb Haemost. 2006 May; 4(5):982-987. 16689748
20. Wagner C. Innovance D-Dimer Assay for Exclusion of VTE and Use of an Age-dependent Cutoff: A Critical Consideration. Marburg, Germany: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Products GmbH.
21. Raja AS, Greenberg JO, Qaseem A, Denberg TD, Fitterman N, Schuur JD; Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians. Evaluation of patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism: Best practice advice from the clinical guidelines committee of the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2015 Nov 3; 163(9):701-711. 26414967
22. Righini M, Van Es J, Den Exter PL, et al. Age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff levels to rule out pulmonary embolism: The ADJUST-PE study. JAMA. 2014 Mar 19; 311(11):1117-1124. 24643601
23. Douma RA, le Gal G, Söhne M, et al. Potential of an age adjusted D-dimer cutoff value to improve the exclusion of pulmonary embolism in older patients: A retrospective analysis of three large cohorts. BMJ. 2010 Mar 30; 340:c1475. 20354012

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
115188 D-Dimer 48065-7 115206 D-Dimer mg/L FEU 48065-7

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