title: [Serum D-dimer changes and prognostic implication in acute pancreatitis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the role of D-dimer in human acute pancreatitis (AP) and its relation to the severity of the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma concentration of D-dimer was measured in 31 patients with mild AP (MAP), 30 patients with severe AP (SAP) and 30 normal people as a control group. The results of routine laboratory tests, 48-hour Ranson and 24-hour APACHE II scores were all recorded. We attempted to find a relationship between D-dimer level and the results of routine laboratory tests, 48-hour Ranson scores and 24-hour APACHE II scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (1) As compared with the control group, the plasma concentration of D-dimer was much higher in MAP (0.21 +/- 0.21) mg/L (P = 0.029) and SAP patients (0.69 +/- 0.32) mg/L (P = 0.000). The D-dimer level in the SAP group was higher than that in the MAP group (P = 0.000). (2) The rise in the D-dimer level was directly related to 48-hour Ranson (P = 0.000) and 24-hour APACHE II scores (P = 0.000). (3) The rise in the D-dimer level was directly related to leukocyte count, blood glucose, creatinine, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time (P < 0.05) and inversely related to hematocrit, albumin and calcium (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma concentration of the D-dimer rises in AP patients; D-dimer level is related to the disease severity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Xian-Chao
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Xiao-Yang
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Sheng-Bin
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Chun-You
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiao-Hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Hou
mesh_terms: D018806:APACHE; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D019283:Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D