Specimen

3 mL Whole blood in 1 Blue Top (Sodium Citrate) tube. Mix thoroughly by inversion. Transport to Lab within 4 hours. If this is not possible, make PPP within 1 hour of collection as follows: Centrifuge sample at 3600 rpm for 15 min. & transfer supernatant to a clean plastic tube. Centrifuge this supernatant again at 3600 rpm for 15 mins. & finally transfer the supernatent (PPP) to one labelled clean plastic screw capped vial. FREEZE IMMEDIATELY. Ship frozen. DO NOT THAW. Overnight fasting is preferred. Duly filled Coagulation Requisition Form (Form 15) is mandatory.

Usage

This assay is useful in the diagnosis of intravascular coagulation and fibrinolysis / DIC. It also has negative predictive value in excluding the diagnosis of Pulmonary embolism or Deep vein Thrombosis particularly when this assay is combined with clinical information. D-Dimer levels are increased in DIC / Intravascular coagulation, recent bleeding, hematoma, trauma, surgical operation and thromboembolism. High levels may also be seen in pregnancy, liver disease, malignancy, inflammation & chronic hypercoagulable state.