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Increased d-dimer levels predict cardiovascular mortality in patients with systolic heart failure

Ali Zorlu1, Mehmet Birhan Yilmaz, Hasan Yucel

  • 1Departments of Cardiology, Cumhuriyet University Medical School, Sivas, Turkey.

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis
|September 9, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Elevated D-dimer levels in patients with systolic heart failure (HF) indicate a higher risk of cardiovascular death. A D-dimer level above 1435 ng/ml is a significant predictor of mortality in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • D-dimer, a fibrin degradation product, is linked to cardiovascular pathologies.
  • Thrombosis and inflammation in systolic heart failure (HF) patients may predict poor outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between D-dimer levels and cardiovascular mortality in hospitalized systolic HF patients.
  • To identify D-dimer as a potential prognostic marker for cardiovascular death in HF.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated 174 consecutive hospitalized systolic HF patients.
  • Measured D-dimer levels within 24 hours of admission.
  • Followed patients for cardiovascular mortality.

Main Results:

  • D-dimer levels were significantly higher in patients who died (2727 ng/ml) versus those who survived (1029 ng/ml).
  • An optimal cut-off level of >1435 ng/ml for D-dimer predicted cardiovascular mortality.
  • Multivariate analysis identified D-dimer >1435 ng/ml, creatinine, and atrial fibrillation as independent predictors of death.

Conclusions:

  • D-dimer measurement can aid in the risk stratification of patients with systolic heart failure.
  • Elevated D-dimer levels are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in systolic HF.

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