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[Detection of D -dimer in pleural effusion]
1Department of Internal Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hunan Medical University, Changsha 410011.
Hunan Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao = Hunan Yike Daxue Xuebao = Bulletin of Hunan Medical University
|September 6, 2002
Summary
Elevated D-dimer levels in pleural fluid indicate higher fibrinolytic activity in tuberculous and empyema effusions compared to malignant ones, aiding differential diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Medical Diagnostics
- Pulmonology
Context:
- Pleural effusion diagnosis can be challenging.
- D-dimer, a fibrin degradation product, is a marker of coagulation and fibrinolysis.
- Understanding D-dimer levels in various pleural effusions is crucial.
Purpose:
- To investigate D-dimer content in pleural fluid from patients with tuberculous, empyema, and malignant effusions.
- To correlate D-dimer levels with lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in pleural fluid.
- To assess the utility of pleural fluid D-dimer in differentiating causes of pleural effusion.
Summary:
- The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method was used to measure D-dimer in pleural fluid from 45 patients.
- Significantly higher D-dimer levels were observed in tuberculous and empyema pleural effusions compared to malignant pleural effusions (P < 0.01; P < 0.05).
- A positive correlation was found between D-dimer and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in pleural fluid (r = 0.4168, P < 0.01).
Impact:
- Findings suggest increased fibrinolytic activity in tuberculous and empyema pleural effusions.
- Pleural fluid D-dimer detection may serve as an indicator of pleural inflammation extent.
- This biomarker could assist in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion.