What does high plasma D-dimer measurement indicate

Elevated plasma D-dimer levels usually indicate increased fibrin formation and dissolution activity in the body, which may be related to factors such as venous thromboembolism, disseminated intravascular coagulation, malignant tumors, infections, or trauma. The main influencing factors include thrombotic diseases, inflammatory reactions, postoperative status, physiological changes during pregnancy, and abnormal liver function.

1. Thrombotic diseases:

D-dimer is a degradation product of fibrin, and its level is most commonly elevated in deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. When a blood clot forms in a blood vessel, the body activates the fibrinolytic system to break down the clot, leading to the release of D-dimer. When clinical suspicion of thrombotic disease occurs, it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis through imaging examination. 2. Inflammatory response: Severe infections, sepsis, and other inflammatory states can activate the coagulation system and stimulate fibrinolysis. In this case, the increase of D-dimer reflects the degree of systemic inflammatory response, often accompanied by the synchronous increase of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein.

3. Postoperative status:

D-dimer levels are usually elevated in patients after surgery, which is related to tissue factor release and coagulation system activation caused by surgical trauma. Monitoring the dynamic changes of D-dimer after surgery can help evaluate the risk of thrombosis.

4. Changes during pregnancy:

D-dimer levels in pregnant women in the middle and late stages of pregnancy can increase by 2-4 times physiologically, which is a normal manifestation of hypercoagulability during pregnancy. But if the value increases abnormally or is accompanied by symptoms such as lower limb edema, it is necessary to investigate thrombotic diseases during pregnancy.

5. Abnormal liver function:

Patients with liver diseases such as cirrhosis may experience pseudo elevation due to decreased clearance of D-dimer caused by imbalanced regulation of the fibrinolytic system. At this point, it is necessary to make a comprehensive judgment based on other liver function indicators.

It was found that when D-dimer levels are elevated, vigorous exercise should be avoided to prevent thrombus shedding, increase water intake to improve blood circulation, and it is recommended to wear elastic socks to prevent venous congestion. Daily diet can be supplemented with anti-inflammatory foods such as deep-sea fish and nuts rich in omega-3 fatty acids in moderation, reducing high-fat and high sugar diets. For long-term bedridden or postoperative populations, preventive exercises such as ankle pump exercises should be performed under the guidance of a doctor. If the values remain abnormal or accompanied by symptoms such as chest pain and difficulty breathing, immediate medical attention should be sought to complete vascular ultrasound, CT pulmonary angiography, and other examinations.