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D-Dimer, Quantitative
Test Code8659
CPT Codes
85379
Preferred Specimen
1 mL frozen platelet-poor plasma collected in 3.2% sodium citrate (light blue-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Instructions
Please submit a separate, frozen vial for each special coagulation assay ordered.
Platelet-poor plasma: Centrifuge light blue-top tube 15 minutes at approx. 1500 x g within 60 minutes of collection. Using a plastic pipette, remove plasma, taking care to avoid the WBC/platelet buffy layer and place into a plastic vial. Centrifuge a second time and transfer platelet-poor plasma into a new plastic vial. Plasma must be free of platelets (<10,000/mcL). Freeze immediately and ship on dry ice.
Platelet-poor plasma: Centrifuge light blue-top tube 15 minutes at approx. 1500 x g within 60 minutes of collection. Using a plastic pipette, remove plasma, taking care to avoid the WBC/platelet buffy layer and place into a plastic vial. Centrifuge a second time and transfer platelet-poor plasma into a new plastic vial. Plasma must be free of platelets (<10,000/mcL). Freeze immediately and ship on dry ice.
Transport Container
Plastic screw-cap vial
Transport Temperature
Frozen (-70° C)
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen (-70° C): 30 days
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen (-70° C): 30 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Gross hemolysis • Gross lipemia • Clotted specimen • Improper blood to citrate ratio • Plasma received room temperature • Plasma received refrigerated
Methodology
Immunoturbidimetric
Setup Schedule
Set up: Tues-Sat; Report available: 1-3 days
Limitations
In patients with low or moderate probability of clots in the deep veins of the leg, a negative D-Dimer result generally rules out DVT. Some patients with blood clots will be false-negatives. This is most common among older patients, those who have undergone prolonged hospitalization, and those with markedly elevated C-reactive protein levels.
Reference Range
<0.50 mcg/mL FEU
Clinical Significance
D-Dimer is one of the measurable by-products of activation of the fibrinolytic system. Quantitation of D-Dimer assesses fibrinolytic activation and intravascular thrombosis. D-Dimer is of particular value in excluding the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism among patients at high risk.
