Laboratory Medicine Program

D-Dimer

Clinical Decription:
D-Dimer (DD) are a specific fibrin degredation product created by fibrinolysis of cross-linked fibrin clot. DD are cleared by the hepatic system and elevated DD are found in a wide range of clinical conditions including liver failure, venous and arterial thrombosis, post-surgery, post-trauma, thrombolytic therapy and DIC. The greatest utility of DD clinical is in their negative predictive value to rule out pulmonary emboli, large DVT and DIC.

Method: Latex immunoturbidimetric Assay; Siemens Sysmex CS-5100

Component Tests Used: n/a

Reference Ranges Used:
< 500 ug/L FEU

Specimen Type: Citrated plasma
Collected In: 3.2% Sodium Citrate
Volume: 1.0 mL (minimum: 1.0 mL)

Shipping: Send frozen on dry ice.

Special Instructions: Patient should be fasting, if possible. The specimen must be double-centrifuged to obtain a platelet-poor plasma specimen (Plt <10x10E9/L): 1. Immediately centrifuge specimen at 1500xG for 10 minutes. 2. Separate the plasma from the platelet/buffy coat and transfer into a clean plastic tube. 3. Centrifuge the separated plasma at 1500xG for 10 minutes. 4. Transfer 1.0 to 2.0 mL of the double-centrifuged plasma into a clean plastic tube, leaving approx. 200 uL for discard. 5. Freeze plasma aliquot immediately for storage. Maintain frozen for shipping and handling.

Testing Schedule(s): Daily.

Turnaround Time: 1 day

For more information, call 416.340.5227 or 1.866.865.5227