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Test Code LAB313 D-Dimer, Quantitative

Clinical Information

The D-Dimer assay is intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and is indicative of reactive fibrinolysis, and the presence of a clot.

Synonym

  • HSDDI
  • High sensitivity D-Dimer

Specimen Required

Preferred Container/Tube: 3.2% Citrate Blue Top - 2.7 mL
Specimen Volume: 2.7 mL
Acceptable Container/Tube: 3.2% Citrate Blue Top - 1.8 mL
Specimen Volume: 1.8 mL
Platelet poor plasma (PPP):
Specimen Volume: 1 - 1 mL aliquots platelet poor plasma (PPP)
Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 - 0.5 mL aliquot platelet poor plasma (PPP)

Specimen Collection Information

Samples from outreach locations must be received as frozen plasma.  

For sending frozen specimens, process specimens immediately upon collection. Centrifuge capped specimen tube at a speed and time required to consistently produce platelet-poor plasma (platelet count <10 K/uL). Check cells for clot. Do not send for testing if the sample is clotted. Transfer plasma into 2 plastic aliquot tubes and freeze. DO NOT transport until specimens are completely frozen. 

Note: All specimens transported as frozen plasma must remain frozen in transit. 

Specimen Stability Information

Ambient: 
     Whole blood: 4 hours
      Platelet poor plasma: 8 hours
Frozen: 
      Platelet poor plasma: PPP removed from the cells and frozen at -20°C or ideally -70°C.

Rejected Due To

  • Ambient WB specimens >4 hours old
  • Ambient PPP specimens >8 hours old
  • Clotted specimens
  • Underfilled or overfilled tube
  • Hemolysis
  • Icterus
  • Lipemia

Reference Values

<0.50 mcg/mL FEU

Cautions

High levels of lipids or turbid samples can lead to falsely elevated or decreased values. Patient samples may contain heterophilic antibodies (e.g. human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) and rheumatoid factors) that could react with immunoassays to give a falsely elevated or depressed result. This assay has been designed to minimize interference from heterophilic antibodies. Nevertheless, complete elimination from this interference cannot be guaranteed.

Method Description

A suspension of latex microparticles, coated by covalent bonding with monoclonal antibodies specific for D-dimer, is mixed with the test plasma whose D-dimer level is to be assayed. Agglutination of the microparticles results via an antigen-antibody reaction, which induces an increase in turbidity of the reaction medium. This increase in turbidity is reflected by an increase in absorbance, the latter being measured photometrically at 540 nm. The increase in absorbance is a function of the D-dimer level present in the test sample.

Performing Lab

Clinical Lab UH
Clinical Lab East
Clinical Lab James

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

Same day/1 day

Reporting Name

D-Dimer, Quantitative

CPT Code Information

85379

LOINC Code Information

48065-7