List 8 causes of an elevated D-dimer

List 8 causes of an elevated D-dimer

D-dimer (protein breakdown product of cross-linked fibrin breakdown = i.e. Clot has formed somewhere in the body in the last 72 hrs)

D-dimer concentration is proportional to the size of the clot (ie. may be falsely low with chronic clots because they are mature)

There are over 75 different D-dimer assays!

Most common assay uses cut off of 500 NG/ML

Sensitivity = 88-97% (for calf and proximal DVT)

A “negative” May not exclude the disease in someone who is at high risk for the disease! (This is especially true for qualitative D-dimer tools)

Endothelial damage

Aging

Recent surgery

Infection

New indwelling catheters

Inflammation

StrOke

MI

Venous stasis

Prolonged bed rest / limb casting

Hypercoagulable state:

Active malignancy

Pregnancy