[C-reactive protein, leukocyte count and D-dimer monitoring after orthopedic surgery: early diagnosis of infectious or thromboembolic complications. Part two: does d-dimer measurement contribute to the diagnosis of postoperative venous thromboembolism?].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the modification in postoperative D-dimer level as a function of the surgical act and to assess the relevance of this measure for diagnosing thromboembolism.


METHODS
A cohort of 179 patients was followed: group 1 comprised 128 patients undergoing lower limb arthroplasty, group 2 comprised 29 patients undergoing lower limb surgery without implant, and group 3 comprised 22 patients undergoing spinal or upper limb surgery. D-dimer level was systematically measured on admission and then once a week for 4 weeks. Doppler ultrasonography was performed on clinical suspicion of deep vein thrombosis. D-dimer levels were compared between patients with and without deep vein thrombosis.


RESULTS
D-dimer levels were constantly elevated postsurgery (2- to 6-fold above normal) and returned to normal by week 4 in groups 2 and 3 but remained elevated in group 1 (3-fold above normal). Deep vein thrombosis was suspected in 45 cases and confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography in 10 cases. D-dimer level was not significantly different between patients with deep vein thrombosis and those without.


CONCLUSIONS
In the postoperative period, measurement of D-dimer level does not aid in diagnosing thromboembolism since its constant high level obviates any negative predictive value.
Clinique La-Pinède, route de Peyrestortes, 66240 Saint-Estève, France. ppccpinede@wanadoo.fr
P
P
Codine
E
E
Barbotte
F
F
Denis-Laroque
H
H
Lansac
T
T
Dupetit
F
F
Pradies
B
B
Ricart
C
C
Herisson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*
D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D