D-dimer

D-dimer is one of the smallest fibrin degradation products arising directly from the body’s natural mechanism to break down blood clots. D-dimer is produced in high amounts in the blood as plasmin breaks down blood clots, and is known for its unique cross-linked structure.

Clinical Significance of D-dimer

• An elevated level of D-dimer indicates the presence of a blood clot being broken down somewhere in the body.
• D-dimer has practical utility as a diagnostic test for assessing and evaluating patients suspected of having disseminated introvascular coagulation (DIC) and thromboembolic events including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).¹

References