D-dimers: a most misunderstood test

Link to article at PubMed

Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 2021 Aug 2;82(8):1-5. doi: 10.12968/hmed.2021.0279. Epub 2021 Aug 17.

ABSTRACT

The role of D-dimers in the management of venous thromboembolism is well established and testing for D-dimers has become common in most acute settings. Although it has been validated for the purpose of excluding venous thromboembolism, the test is increasingly ordered to 'diagnose' venous thromboembolism. Furthermore, in the COVID-19 pandemic, heavy reliance has been put on this test with the inclusion of D-dimers to guide treatment pathways. This review summarises the appropriateness of D-dimer tests in these different clinical settings.

PMID:34431346 | DOI:10.12968/hmed.2021.0279

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