Does Anxiety Increase Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease? Nov 17, 2008
To assess the reaction of the hemostatic system by global entities, sum scores were computed from parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis (fibrinogen, FVII, FVIII, vWF, F1 + 2, TAT, D-dimer, 2-AP, PAP, tPA, PAI-1). Interfering variables, such as age, gender, alcohol consumption and smoking status, were controlled. (Science Daily)
Non-AIDS Deaths In People With HIV Linked To Inflammation And Coagulation, Study Suggests Oct 22, 2008
Across both treatment groups, increased risk of death was associated with three biomarkers: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and D-dimer. Measuring the same biomarkers in the blood of 499 randomly chosen patients from the trial, the researchers found that IL-6 and D-dimer levels in patients in the intermittent treatment arm increased in the first month of the trial but were unchanged in the patients who received continuous ART treatment. (Science Daily)
Markers of inflammation and blood-clotting tied to hazards of intermittent HIV treatment Oct 22, 2008
They found that people who began the study with relatively higher levels of the biomarkers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and D-dimer were at greater risk of death than other study participants. They also found that IL-6 and D-dimer levels rose significantly in the intermittent-treatment group compared to the continuous treatment group after just one month of study ... Based on these observations, the authors conclude that HIV-infected patients who have relatively high levels of IL-6 and D-dimer are at... (EurekAlert!)
Simpler Diagnostic Method May Be As Effective At Detecting Blood Clot In The Leg Oct 17, 2008
"Its major limitation is the need to repeat the test once within 1 week in patients with normal findings at presentation to detect calf DVT extending to the proximal [near the point of origin] veins. Repeat testing may be safely avoided in patients with a normal D-dimer test [blood test used to help rule out active blood clot formation] at presentation," the authors write ... "Either strategy may be chosen based on the clinical context, on the patients' needs, and on the available resources.... (Science Daily)
Simpler Test May Be Best for Diagnosing Blood Clots in Leg Oct 10, 2008
Those in the 2-point group with abnormal findings had a blood test called D-dimer that further assessed the risk of a blood clot, and were reassessed by 2-point ultrasound again in a week ... He said that, while the study's findings were somewhat unexpected, he was pleased to see that the 2-point ultrasound along with the D-dimer test appeared to be just as effective in diagnosing most DVTs. (MEDLINEplus)
Finding May Allow Some Women to Stop Blood Thinners Aug 26, 2008
They singled out four of those factors: discoloration, redness or swelling of a leg; high levels of a blood clotting marker, D-dimer; obesity, marked by a body mass index of 30 or higher; and being 65 or older. Women who had one or none of those factors had a 1. (MEDLINEplus)
Inverness Medical Innovations Extends Cardiology Products Distribution Agreement with Thermo Fisher Scientific Jul 25, 2008
The co-exclusive agreement continues to cover all of the cardiology and drugs of abuse rapid test products manufactured by the Biosite subsidiary of Inverness and sold under the Triage brand including tests for BNP, troponin, CK-MB, Myoglobin, d-dimer and a broad range of meter and visually read drugs of abuse tests. However, products sold for use on third party instruments such as the BNP test sold by Inverness for use on Beckman immunoassay systems are not included. (PR Newswire)
Men At Increased Risk Of Death From Pneumonia Compared To Women May 20, 2008
Reade, Yende and their colleagues next examined a series of molecules important to the body's immune response to infection, finding significant differences between men and women in levels of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, antithrombin III, Factor IX, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and D-dimer. By comparison between the genders, some concentrations were lower, while others were higher. (Science Daily)
Imaging Procedures For Diagnosing Blood Clots In The Lung Examined Dec 23, 2007
"First, clinicians should consider the likelihood of pulmonary embolism in a structured manner based on patients' presenting histories and physical examinations much the way Anderson and colleagues did, and based on those assessments, proceed, as necessary, to D-dimer testing [a blood test to diagnose thrombosis]. These 2 steps may substantially reduce the probability that pulmonary embolism, at least large clots, are present and obviate the need for additional study. Where significant concern... (Science Daily)
Blood Markers Might Predict Clotting Risk With HRT Dec 9, 2007
Postmenopausal women with high levels of D-dimer face greatest chance of trouble ... Elevated levels of D-dimer predicted a 2 ... The most important factor turned out to be elevated D-dimer, which is present in 25 percent of women and which increased the risk of thrombosis in women receiving HRT sixfold. (Health-Finder)
Ruling out pulmonary embolism with a simple bedside protocol May 16, 2007
The blood test, called D-Dimer, has a very low specificity for PE, leading to many false positives. The CT scan costs $2500, has the potential for kidney damage in 1 in 12 patients, and has a heavy radiation dose that increases lifetime risk of cancer. (EurekAlert!)
Experts Issue Blood Clot Treatment Guidelines Feb 3, 2007
Key points of the new diagnosis guideline include: the use of clinical prediction rules to establish pretest probability of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism in a patient before further tests are conducted; and the usefulness of different kinds of diagnostic tools such as D-dimer and ultrasonography. The new management guideline supports the use of low-molecular weight heparin, a blood thinner, for patients with deep vein thrombosis in an outpatient setting when appropriate support... (MEDLINEplus)
D-Dimer and Duration of Anticoagulation Jan 25, 2007
26 issue)1 conclude that patients with an abnormal D-dimer test 1 month after the discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy have a significantly increased incidence of recurrent venous thromboembolism ... Indeed, patients with an abnormal D-dimer test were much older (mean [ SD] age, 69 ... 0 years) than those with a normal D-dimer test (59. (New England Journal of Medicine)
