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Establishing reference intervals for D-dimer to trimesters.
Şerif Ercan1, Sadullah Özkan, Nihal Yücel
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Lüleburgaz State Hospital , Kırklareli , Turkey .
Summary
Establishing trimester-specific D-dimer reference intervals in pregnant patients is crucial for accurate venous thromboembolism diagnosis. These new ranges help avoid misinterpretation common with general population thresholds.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Hematology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- D-dimer testing is essential for diagnosing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnant patients.
- Standard D-dimer reference intervals can lead to misinterpretation during pregnancy.
- Accurate diagnostic thresholds are needed for VTE evaluation in pregnant individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine trimester-specific reference intervals for D-dimer in pregnant women.
- To compare these intervals with those used for the general population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 416 pregnant women and 32 non-pregnant women.
- Participants were categorized into first (5-11 weeks), second (13-20 weeks), and third (25-35 weeks) trimesters.
- D-dimer levels were quantified using an immunoturbidimetric assay.
Main Results:
- Using a 0.50 mg/L threshold, 4.8% of second-trimester and 23.8% of third-trimester pregnant women exceeded the value.
- Established D-dimer reference intervals were: 0.11-0.40 mg/L (first trimester), 0.14-0.75 mg/L (second trimester), and 0.16-1.3 mg/L (third trimester).
Conclusions:
- Trimester-specific D-dimer reference intervals differ significantly from general population values.
- These established intervals can aid clinicians in accurate VTE diagnosis during pregnancy.
- Further research is recommended to establish new D-dimer cut-off values for VTE exclusion in each trimester.
