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Pathology Laboratories UF Path Labs - Department of Pathology
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D-Dimer, Quantitative

Additional Information:


UFHPL Epic order code: LAB313

UFHPL – Core Laboratory Recommendations for Anticoagulant Therapy

Although the prothrombin time (PT) and activated thromboplastin time (aPTT) are both affected by vitamin K antagonists (Coumadin) and by heparin, the PT/INR is the recommended first-line assessment of Coumadin therapy.

As an alternative to aPTT measurements for unfractionated heparin, a direct heparin assay can be performed. Heparin is measured as anti-Xa units. Indeed, this is the recommended modality of assessing low molecular weight heparin therapy, since the aPTT is a poor indicator of the response to LMW heparin.

There is increasing use of direct thrombin inhibitors, such as Argatroban. We recommend monitoring the latter with the aPTT using a prolongation of approximately 1.5 to 2.5 times the baseline.

Anticoagulation therapy monitoring should be done in careful consultation with the UF Health Pharmacy and the UF Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology.

CPT Code(s):

85379

Specimen Requirements:

Type: Plasma, sodium citrate, platelet-poor

Container/Tube: Light blue (3.2 percent sodium citrate)

Sample Volume: 2 mL of platelet-poor plasma (0.5 mL minimum)

Storage:

  • Ambient: 8 hours
  • Frozen: 1 month
Unacceptable Conditions:

  • Clotted or hemolyzed samples
  • EDTA plasma
  • Serum
Specimen Retention Time: 5 days

Use:

Diagnosis of intravascular coagulation and fibrinolysis, also known as disseminated intravascular coagulation, especially when combined with clinical information and other laboratory test data (eg, platelet count, assays of clottable fibrinogen and soluble fibrin monomer complex, and clotting time assays-prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time).
Excluding the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis, particularly when results of a sensitive D-dimer assay are combined with clinical information, including pretest disease probability.

Methodology:


Immunoturbidimetry

Reported:


Within 24 hours

Reference Values:

< 0.43 ug/mL (FEU)