title: Update on the predictive value of D-dimer in patients with idiopathic venous thromboembolism.
abstract: The optimal duration of oral anticoagulation after a first unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) is uncertain. The aim of this review is to evaluate the predictive role of D-dimer testing for recurrence after idiopathic VTE with the update of the most recent publications. In the PROLONG study patients with normal D-dimer at one month after anticoagulation withdrawal did not resume anticoagulation and had 4.4% patient-years of recurrences. Patients with abnormal D-dimer were randomized to resume or not anticoagulation and had 2% and 10.2% recurrences, respectively. These results were confirmed also after extending the follow-up to a mean of 2.55 years and indicate that patients with abnormal D-dimer after anticoagulation withdrawal are at higher risk for recurrence versus those with normal D-dimer and benefit from prolongation of anticoagulation. However, in patients with a normal D-dimer, the duration of treatment remains uncertain as the recurrence rate of approximately 5% patient-years may also warrant anticoagulation. The prospective observational PROLONG II aimed at assessing D-dimer time course and its relation with late recurrences in patients with normal D-dimer at 1 month. Patients repeated D-dimer testing every two months for one year. The few patients in whom D-dimer became abnormal at the 3(rd) month and remained abnormal afterwards had a higher risk of recurrence (27% patient-years) than patients with persistently normal D-dimer (2.9% patient-years) (adjusted HR: 7.9; 95% CI:2.1-30; p = 0.002). These results indicate that repeated D-dimer testing after anticoagulation suspension may help tailor the individual duration of treatment after a first unprovoked VTE.
authors.affiliation: Dept. Angiology & Blood Coagulation Marino Golinelli, University Hospital St. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy. benilde.cosmi@unibo.it
authors.forename: Benilde
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cosmi
authors.forename: Gualtiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palareti
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; D006801:Humans; D012008:Recurrence; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D