McMaster Textbook of Internal Medicine

McMaster Textbook of Internal Medicine
Interviews
VTE
D-dimer evaluation in pregnancy

D-dimer evaluation in pregnancy

2020-11-09

Wendy Lim

Recorded at the 5th McMaster International Review Course in Internal Medicine (MIRCIM).

Dr Wendy Lim is a professor in the Division of Hematology and Thromboembolism at McMaster University.

Should we evaluate D-dimer levels in pregnancy?

Wendy Lim, MD, MSc: We know that D-dimer is a very good test but it certainly can be influenced by certain conditions such as pregnancy, inflammation, or systemic infection. Right now, at the present time, the D-dimer [test] has not been well validated in pregnancy, so we oftentimes will caution against its use or its interpretation in the setting of pregnancy.

See also

Treatment of patients with suspected subsegmental PE seen on CT Should we treat patients with suspected subsegmental pulmonary embolism seen on computed tomography (CT)?
D-dimer as the first choice test to confirm an episode of VTE Preliminary results of a survey among physicians show that many still consider the D-dimer test as the first choice to confirm an episode of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Could you comment on the value of the pretest probability evaluation before choosing an appropriate test?
Low-dose DOACs in VTE What is the use of low-dose direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in venous thromboembolism (VTE)?
VTE: 2018 ASH diagnostic guidelines A lecture by Dr Wendy Lim, from McMaster University, Canada, delivered at McMaster International Review Course in Internal Medicine (MIRCIM) in May 2019.
Mechanical VTE prophylaxis What is the current role of mechanical venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis?
Diagnostic workup of suspected DVT What should be the diagnostic workup in a patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
Antiplatelet treatment in patients on long-term anticoagulation What is the best approach to antiplatelet treatment in patients on long-term anticoagulation?
VTE: Assessment of PTP The diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is based on assessment of the population pretest probability (PTP) of VTE. How to assess this probability?

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