BED-SIDE TESTING OF D-DIMER PLASMA-LEVELS IN CEREBRAL VENOUS THROMBOSIS (SIMPLIRED(R))

Purpose: To perform an initial evaluation of the accuracy in detection of dural sinus and cerebral Venous thrombosis using a bed-side test ( SimpliRED(R)). Material and methods: Early diagnosis and treatment of cerebral sinus thrombosis are important. A screening test to decide wh ich patients should undergo further diagnostics would be valuable due to the low incidence. Six patients with MR proven cerebral sinus throm bosis underwent bed-side testing. The SimpliRED(R) kit provides a clea rly visible agglutination of the patient's red blood cells in the pres ence of elevated levels of the crosslinked fibrin derivative (D-dimer) in the sample. Results: The assay yielded a positive result in all si x patients, even after 56 days following the onset of clinical symptom s. Conclusion: The sensitivity of SimpliRED(R) in the detection of sin us Venous thrombosis is not known. This assay, therefore, should be ev aluated in a large prospective study. In addition, the capability of t he test to assess the effect of and predict the duration of anticoagul ation therapy should be considered.