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