D-Dimer assay
Specimen requirements:
Can be performed using same specimen as for PT and aPTT
Principle:
Latex particles coated with anti-D-dimer will agglutinate when increased levels of D-Dimers are present.
Clinical application:
D-Dimers are formed when plasmin breaks down fibrin polymers
D-Dimers are formed only if factor XIII converts fibrin monomers to fibrin polymers
Normal range:
<0.5 mg/mL