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Elevated D-dimer level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular death in out-patients with symptoms

Urban Alehagen1, Ulf Dahlström, Tomas L Lindahl

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Heart Center, University Hospital of Linköping, Linköping, SE-581 85 Sweden. urban.alehagen@ihs.liu.se

Thrombosis and Haemostasis
|December 8, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Elevated D-dimer levels in elderly patients with heart failure symptoms indicate a nearly 4-fold increased risk of cardiovascular death. This finding highlights D-dimer as a valuable tool for risk stratification in heart failure patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomarkers
  • Geriatrics

Background:

  • D-dimer is a marker of fibrin turnover with potential prognostic value in cardiovascular diseases.
  • Heart failure is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in the elderly.
  • Current risk stratification for heart failure may benefit from additional biomarkers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the prognostic information of D-dimer for cardiovascular mortality in elderly patients presenting with heart failure symptoms.
  • To determine if elevated D-dimer levels independently predict increased risk of cardiovascular death in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 458 elderly patients with symptoms suggestive of heart failure.
  • Assessment of NYHA functional class, cardiac function (systolic and diastolic) via echocardiography.
  • Analysis of plasma D-dimer concentrations using an automated micro-latex assay.

Main Results:

  • During a median follow-up of 5.5 years, 14% of patients died from cardiovascular disease.
  • A plasma D-dimer concentration above 0.25 mg/L was associated with an almost 4-fold increased risk of cardiovascular mortality.
  • No significant gender difference in mortality risk was observed.

Conclusions:

  • D-dimer is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in elderly patients with heart failure symptoms.
  • Plasma D-dimer levels can be utilized to effectively risk-stratify patients with heart failure.
  • This biomarker offers valuable prognostic information beyond traditional assessments.

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