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HelpOrder Code D Dimer D-Dimer
Additional Codes
Epic Order ID LAB2659
Sub activity Type
Coagulation
Collection tube (preferred)
Blue
Specimen Type
Plasma
Stability
24 hours at 2-8°C
4 hours at room temp (20-23°C)
Transport temperature
Ambient
Frozen
Transport Container
Original tube, or frozen sodium citrate plasma
Rejection Criteria
Grossly hemolyzed, Grossly lipemic, clotted, or improper blood to citrate ratio
Performance
Performed Daily
Report Available
Same day
Notes
A tube filled to the line is necessary because the correct ration of blood to citrate is critical (9:1). Mix by gentle inversion 3-4 times.
Clinical Significance
D-Dimer is one of the measurable by-products of activation of the fibrinolytic system. Quantitation of D-Dimer assesses fibrinolytic activation and intravascular thrombosis. D-Dimer is of particular value in excluding the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism among patients at high risk.
Reference Range
0 - 500 ng/mL FEU
Interprtive Comment:
When a D-Dimer value is used to evaluate DVT or PE, the recommended cutoff value (Negative Predictive Value) is less than 500 ng/mL FEU. The D-Dimer result should not be used alone to rule in DVT/PE, but should be used in conjunction with a clinical pretest probability (PTP) assessment model to exclude venous thromboembolism (VTE) in outpatients suspected of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).