The role of the D-Dimer in the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism

Citation
Gs. Ahearn et H. Bounameaux, The role of the D-Dimer in the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism, SEM RESP CR, 21(6), 2000, pp. 521-536
Citations number
95
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems
Journal title
SEMINARS IN RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
ISSN journal
10693424 → ACNP
Volume
21
Issue
6
Year of publication
2000
Pages
521 - 536
Database
ISI
SICI code
1069-3424(2000)21:6<521:TROTDI>2.0.ZU;2-Q
Abstract
Classic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) D-dimer assays are sensit ive in screening for thromboembolic disease; however, they are cumbersome a nd time consuming to perform, which limits their routine use. Latex aggluti nation assays are easier to perform, but they are not as sensitive as the E LISA assays. New D-dimer assays incorporating novel technologies can be per formed rapidly with a sensitivity approaching that of classic ELISA assays. D-dimer assays are uniformly sensitive in detecting thromboembolic disease in different patient populations; however, low specificity limits the clin ical utility of D-dimer measurements in medical Inpatients and postoperativ e patients. Increasingly, these measurements are being incorporated into di agnostic algorithms for venous thromboembolism and are reducing the need fo r invasive diagnostic studies.