title: Plasma D-dimer predicts short-term poor outcome after acute ischemic stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Haemostatic biomarkers associated with poor outcome in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The objective of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of plasma D-dimer (D-D) on functional outcome at 90-day follow-up from stroke onset.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective, observational cohort study in the emergency department and enrolled 220 patients with AIS. Plasma D-D concentrations, determined by a particle-enhanced, immunoturbidimetric assay, were measured. Each patient's medical record was reviewed, and demographic, clinical, laboratory and neuroimaging information was abstracted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a positive correlation between levels of D-D and the NIHSS (r = 0.361, p<0.001), and the infarct volume (r = 0.449, p<0.001). In the 69 patients with an unfavorable functional outcome, D-D levels were higher compared with those in patients with a favorable outcome [3.24(IQR, 2.18-4.60)mg/L vs 0.88(IQR, 0.35-1.77) mg/L; p<0.001]. After adjusting for all other significant outcome predictors, D-D level remained an independent predictor for unfavorable functional outcome and mortality with an odds ratio of 2.18 (95% CI, 1.55-2.83), 3.22 (95% CI, 2.05-6.43); respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  D-D levels are a useful tool to predict outcome and mortality 90-day after acute ischemic stroke and have a potential to assist clinicians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Affiliated the Sixth People Hospital Fengxian Branch, Shanghai, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Ying
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Affiliated the Sixth People Hospital Fengxian Branch, Shanghai, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Shan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Tianjin Union Medicine Center, Tianjin, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Affiliated the Sixth People Hospital Fengxian Branch, Shanghai, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Affiliated the Sixth People Hospital Fengxian Branch, Shanghai, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Xing-Sheng
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Affiliated the Sixth People Hospital Fengxian Branch, Shanghai, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Jing-E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D