D-dimer Level Determination in the Diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis Following Lower Extremity Fracture: a Cross-Sectional Study

Maroufi, Parham; Pourlak, Tala

doi:EJCMPR/20240715

D-dimer Level Determination in the Diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis Following Lower Extremity Fracture: a Cross-Sectional Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Parham Maroufi ¹

Tala Pourlak ²

¹ Associate Professor of Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

² Associate Professor of Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

https://doi.org/EJCMPR/20240715

Abstract

Introduction: the determination of D-dimer levels in diagnosing deep vein thrombosis following lower extremity fractures presents a complex yet critical challenge. This cross-sectional study aims to delineate the diagnostic value of D-dimer in this specific patient group, contributing to improved clinical practices and patient outcomes. Material and methods: Blood samples were collected from each participant within 24 hours of hospital admission. D-dimer levels were measured using a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The assay was performed in the hospital’s central laboratory following standard operating procedures. The D-dimer levels were expressed in fibrinogen equivalent units (FEU) with a cut-off value of 500 ng/mL considered as the threshold for abnormal levels. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of D-dimer for diagnosing DVT were calculated. Conclusion: the determination of D-dimer levels is a valuable diagnostic tool for detecting DVT in patients with lower extremity fractures. While the high sensitivity and NPV support its use as a preliminary screening test, the moderate specificity and PPV suggest that elevated D-dimer levels should be followed by confirmatory imaging.

Keywords

D-dimer

Diagnosis

DVT

Lower Extremity Fracture

Subjects