title: Evaluation of soluble fibrin and D-dimer in the diagnosis of postoperative deep vein thrombosis.
abstract: Soluble fibrin (SF) and D-dimer are useful for making the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, the evidence for using such markers and optimal timing to diagnose postoperative DVT are unclear. We evaluate the usefulness of SF and D-dimer testing for the diagnosis of postoperative DVT. A total of 207 patients who had total hip arthroplasty or knee arthroplasty were evaluated. SF and D-dimer were tested on postoperative days 1 and 7. DVT was confirmed with ultrasonography. SF level on postoperative day 1 was the most useful, although D-dimer evaluation on postoperative days 1 and 7 was also useful. Using a SF cut-off of more than 4.00 microg ml(-1), the sensitivity was 90%, the specificity was 33%. Although the SF and D-dimer tests cannot be used as stand-alone tests, SF and D-dimer are valuable screening tools. We recommend two-stage screening including first with the SF or D-dimer test, followed by ultrasonography or venography.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu City, Mie, Japan.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Niimi
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sudo
authors.forename: Dequan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Tomomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Atsumasa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uchida
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D005260:Female; D005337:Fibrin / Q000032:analysis*; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012995:Solubility; D014463:Ultrasonography; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D; D005337:Fibrin