D-Dimer as a Predictive Marker for Recurrence Following the First Unprovoked Attack of Venous Thromboembolism
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- Category: Vol. 79, March 2011
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D-Dimer as a Predictive Marker for Recurrence Following the First Unprovoked Attack of Venous Thromboembolism,AHMAD EL-BATANONY, HISHAM EL-SHARKAWY, AHMAD ELMARAKBY and NELLY N. ABULATA
Abstract
Definition of the optimal period for anticaogulation following the first unprovoked attack of venous thromboem-bolism is quite challenging. This study tried to identify a D-dimer as a possible marker for the prediction of recurrence of venous thromboembolism.
Patients and Methods: The study included 121 patients diagnosed with a first unprovoked episode of deep venous thrombosis of the lower limb and/or pulmonary embolism, and were prospectively investigated after the discontinuation of oral anticoagulant therapy. D-dimer levels in plasma were measured 1 month after stopping of the oral anticoagulant therapy. The study endpoint was the occurrence of recurrent attack of venous thromboembolism.
Results: Twenty six patients (21.7%) had recurrent VTE during an average follow up period of 12 months, 17 patients (14.2%) had elevated D-dimer level, while 9 patients (7.5%), had normal D-dimer level.
Conclusion: D-dimer measurment following the discon-tinuation of oral anticoagulant therapy following an attack of venous thromboembolism seems to have a good predictive value for the occurrence of recurrence, however multiple risk factors are involved, that have to be considered, and if opti-mized D-dimer would be a useful predictor marker.