D-Dimer
D-Dimer is a fibrin degradation product present in the blood after a blood clot dissolves. It is commonly measured to help diagnose or rule out thrombotic disorders such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
D-Dimer is a biomarker used in clinical medicine to assess the presence of blood clot formation and breakdown in the body. It is a small protein fragment produced when fibrin, a protein involved in blood clotting, is broken down by the body’s natural processes. D-Dimer levels rise in response to clot formation and subsequent fibrinolysis (the breakdown of clots).
Clinically, D-Dimer levels are measured through blood tests. Elevated D-Dimer levels can indicate the presence of an active blood clotting process in the body, suggesting conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). However, it’s important to note that elevated D-Dimer levels can also be associated with other conditions, such as inflammation, infection, pregnancy, or recent surgery.
D-Dimer testing is particularly valuable in the evaluation of patients with suspected thrombotic events, aiding in diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment decisions. In the context of COVID-19, D-Dimer levels have been observed to be elevated in many patients, especially those with severe disease. Monitoring D-Dimer levels in COVID-19 patients can help clinicians assess disease severity, predict prognosis, and guide therapeutic interventions, including the use of anticoagulant therapy.