What is an extremely elevated D-dimer?

Very high D-dimer level was defined as 100 times above the cutoff point, i.e. equal to or greater than 50 mg/L FEU. We analyzed the results of the 1,053 samples, reviewed the history of the patients with very high D-dimer through the hospital computer system, and found out the causes producing very high D-dimer.

What causes elevation in D-dimer?

Additionally, D-dimer levels may be elevated in the setting of pregnancy, inflammation, malignancy, trauma, postsurgical treatment, liver disease (decreased clearance), and heart disease. It is also frequently high in hospitalized patients.

How high is D-dimer in PE?

Our center defines high D-dimer levels as >1.3 µg/ml, but the ROC curve analysis suggested that 1.9 µg/ml was the optimal threshold for the diagnosis of PE in our patient sample.

What is a high D-dimer number?

A normal D-dimer is considered less than 0.50. A positive D-dimer is 0.50 or greater.

When is D-dimer too high?

An elevated D-dimer level is not normal. It’s usually found after a clot has formed and is in the process of breaking down. If you are having significant formation and breakdown of blood clot in your body, your D-dimer may be elevated. A negative D-dimer test means that a blood clot is highly unlikely.

What is best D-dimer value?

In the first study (PE confirmed patients/study population = 134/370), it was reported that the best D-dimer cutoff level for significant PE risk = should be 2.152 mg/L (AUC, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.64–0.74; p < 0.05) [11].

How to diagnose extremely elevated D-dimer levels?

Our aim was to assess the differential diagnosis of extremely elevated D-dimer levels in a hospital setting. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients > 18 years with an extremely elevated (> 5000 μg/l; > 10x cut-off to exclude VTE) D-dimer test result. Electronic medical records were reviewed for diagnoses.

When to use age adjusted D-dimer for VTE?

Adjusts D-dimer cutoffs by age to help rule out VTE. Use in patients ≥50 years old presenting to emergency department as outpatients and are being worked up for PE with low to intermediate pretest probability.

What are the goals of the age adjusted D-dimer?

The goals of the age-adjusted D-dimer is to increase the specificity of the test in patients ≥50 years old and prevent unnecessary testing and complications.

What should my D-dimer be at age 68?

For a patient aged 68 years, the D-dimer concentration (FEU assay) would be considered normal below 680 μg/L (68 x 10 µg/L), also equivalent to 680 ng/mL or 0.680 µg/mL.