D-dimer

D-dimer or fragment D-dimer

(English: fibrin degradation fragment) is a type of blood sample in a laboratory test that aims to help make the diagnosis of diseases and conditions that cause hypercoagulability: a tendency of blood to clot more than normal size. One of the conditions that are commonly found in deep venous thrombosis (DVT, deep vein thrombosis) associated with blood clots in the veins (venous) in the body, especially in the legs that cause blockage of blood flow in the legs, causing pain and tissue damage .

It can also cause a small lump that was broken up and running following the bloodstream to other parts of the body so it can cause pulmonary embolism (PE, pulmonary embolism - blood clots in the lungs).

Laboratory tests associated with the D-dimer is a fibrin degradation products (FDP, fibrin degradation products), prothrombin time (PT, prothrombin time), partial thromboplastin time (PTT, partial thromboplastin time or aPTT), fibrinogen and plasma count.

Most blood clots occur in veins, but freezing also occurs in an artery carrying oxygen. The combination of these two types of thrombosis termed venous thromboembolism (venous thromboembolism, VTE).

If a blood clot blocking blood flow to vital organs such as kidneys, brain or heart, can cause damage that can not be cured and can cause organ failure. D-dimer test is usually used to monitor and maintain that level did not increase blood clotting. D-dimer test is used to eliminate the symptoms doctors DVT, PE, VT, and AT.

D-Dimer test is also used to assist in the diagnosis of DIC (Disseminated intravascular coagulation), a complex acute condition that can arise from a variety of situations such as multiple surgical procedures, venomous snake bites, liver disease and the condition after birth. With DIC, clotting factors activated simultaneously in the whole body. This causes blood clots in the body that can be at risk of excessive bleeding.

Most of the results of laboratory tests declare the value of 0-300 ng / ml as normal range of values. Values ​​above 250, 300 or 500 ng / ml (depending on the different test equipment) is expressed as a positive.  

Source : http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-dimer